The atmosphere in the government coalition is rapidly souring and it seems to be only a matter of time before the curtains go down for the William Marlin cabinet. That scenario will not do anybody any good.
The President of Parliament, DP-MP Sarah Wescot-Williams lit the fire on Friday when she criticized her coalition partners in a public meeting over their criticism of her position on financial aid from the Netherlands.
If I cannot take that position, Wescot-Williams said, then there is no place for me in this coalition.
Vromi-Minister Christophe Emmanuel did nothing to extinguish this political fire, by stating that “anyone who agrees with the Dutch conditions should not be part of this government.”
Interestingly, Emmanuel’s fellow party member MP Chanel Brownbill came out with a statement on Sunday evening that makes clear that there is a real war going on. And it’s not the opposition stoking that fire this time; the war is raging on within the ranks of the coalition parties – National Alliance, United St. Maarten party and Democratic Party.
I have to vote my conscience and I realize what that means, Brownbill wrote, adding that he is taking a stand: “I stand with the people who are hurting and who are looking at us.”
Reading between the lines, one can almost smell that Brownbill is about to drop his support for the coalition. If that happens, and the DP does the same, then the Marlin-government will be sent home.
It is not a solution for the huge problems the country is currently struggling with, but the critics of Marlin’s government will be elated all the same.
We think that such a celebratory attitude is uncalled for; be careful what you wish for.
Another fallen government will once more bring to light how unable our local politicians are to bridge their differences and to find common ground at a moment in history when this is so sorely needed.
Source: StMaartenNews http://stmaartennews.com/editorials/a-real-war/
So the Dutch government wants accountability for many millions in aid – where is the problem? Anyone who objects should be suspected of corruption. Trying to avoid accountability is an strong indication that they hope to line their pockets with money that should be used to help the people and the island recover.
Desperate times takes desperate measures, time to concede to Dutch requests and help the people of your island get their lives and lively hoods back. Allowing the deadline to come and go will set the island back and maybe indefinitely “