HARBOUR VIEW--United Democrats leader Member of Parliament (MP) Theo Heyliger has been tasked by Governor Eugene Holiday to form the coalition government for the country. Heyliger’s appointment as formateur this morning comes after the February 26 snap elections failed to give any of the four parties to capture seats a full majority.
Heyliger is to present a governing programme with his final report on the formation to the Governor.
He is to inform the Governor regularly during the formation process and is to present his final report of the formation “as soon as possible.”
Heyliger is “to form a government supported by as broad a majority in Parliament as possible to foster political stability,” according to the Governor’s statement. That government must consist of ministers “who are committed to the promotion of the well-being of the people of St. Maarten and who are dedicated to the reconstruction of our country.”
The Governor has emphasized to Heyliger the importance of the strict observance of the regulatory requirements including the screening criteria, applicable to the appointment for minister candidates.
In addition, the Governor requested Heyliger to form a government that will commit itself to a governing programme focused on a sustainable social, economic and financial reconstruction of St. Maarten, with an emphasis on the critical infrastructure, the tourist sector, the social infrastructure, law enforcement and the public finances.
The governing programme must pay specific attention to cooperation with the Netherlands, the World Bank and the social and economic partners, to the need to take the urgent steps to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season and measures to find a sustainable solution for the landfill and waste management on St. Maarten, according to the Governor.
The Governor met the leaders of the United Democrats (seven seats), National Alliance (five seats), United St. Maarten Party (two seats) and St. Maarten Christian Party (one seat) on March 12 and 13 about the advice given by informateurs Nilda Arduin and Jan Beaujon. In those meetings, he emphasized the importance of unity and working together in the interest of the people of St. Maarten.
Heyliger is requested to use the informateurs’ report as the basis for the further formation process.
The country’s fourth Parliament in under eight years is to sit as of Easter Monday, April 2. The oath taking by the incoming 15 MPs is not hampered by the government coalition process.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/74698-governor-appoints-theo-to-form-gov-t
