Government Failed?

Did I hear right that once again the Government has failed? This, post Irma, is not the time for petty squabbles. We need money from the Nederlandse and the petty squabbles will only harm that. WAKE UP!

SXM news story

Daily Herald Article

We were waiting for this to happen. Blessings !

Does this mean that Holland will have much needed control of St Maarten government

This means that the funds that will be made available for the redevelopment of the Island will be under full control.

Based on what I have learned about the form of government, the answer to this is "no", although the conditions it set for making the money available will be met. One of those conditions was for there to be accountability for and control over the money independent of the government. Look for the Dutch to tweak that requirement, depending on their view of the new government.

https://www.facebook.com/Sarah-Wescot-Wi...n3YmqP2yoBNaKBo <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

WOW!!! You go, girl!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> If you have a few minutes, listen to Sarah's news conference...

It was due ! Enough is enough.

Agreed!

Looks like Marlin as a "Last Hurrah" is still causing problems to slow recovery down.

https://www.sxm-talks.com/st-martin-news...-new-elections/

Being desperate . Last minute response. Adios !

So, now what happens??

Well there is a no confidence vote meeting today in the Parliament and from there the Government change will began.

Sarah said that she would fight elections being held. Will the public demand that Marlin and his government just resign? What will happen to the Dutch aid if elections are actually called??? I'm afraid this BS by Marlin will still prevent the Dutch from sending aid.

Good question. Among other things, Governor Holiday may earn his pay today.

As in, to convince Marlin and his band of brothers to resign, for the good of the country??

I am hoping the Governor can recognize the vote of no confidence at the 2 pm meeting and somehow have it control what happens next - as in recognize new government. As opposed to Marlin and his allies dissolving Parliament and calling elections "first" and then stay in power through elections. I expect nothing from Marlin except effort to hold onto power as long as possible. I think Governor will do what he can but I am not sure what he can do. This could really get ugly if Sarah was really serious about what she said in her press conference.

That's what I was thinking. I think people will not need much encouragement to take to the streets, in a bad way.

<a href="www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/70611-knops-awaits-st-maarten-political-developments" target="_blank">Dutch are awaiting today's developments</a> before making a decision on the funds.

No elections will be allowed to be held.

It appears that the 2 PM meeting will be on the internet, at http://www.sxmparliament.org/

Well, how bizarre. Meeting adjourned without doing anything.

Not bizarre in SXM -if Marlin holds onto power I thnk that the people will do somethng serious.

I believe it will be resuming at 5pm

Yes, that's what she said when they adjourned. Hopefully reason has prevailed.

Live Now!

Meeting resumes tomorrow 10AM <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Meeting's over. What happened??

Meeting is on at this moment.

OK, please post when you know something.

Will do , the PM is currently speaking.

Any news??

Meeting continues this morning with a no confidence motion to be passed. Marlin is now is trying to mention National Government.

What is a national government? What does that mean? Is still sounds like he is going to call elections.

That's his suggestion ignored to stay in power, but the others won't go that way.

The PM is elected by the National Government.
The Parliament and the Prime Minister have complete authority.

Idea of a National Government is that all parties join together in a government - all parties reach consensus (or as close to consensus as possible) as to PM and other ministers. Hard to see how that can happen with this bunch.

OK, thanks. Yes, I don't see that happening here.

Meeting will resume shortly. Construction noise stopped meeting. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
http://www.sxmparliament.org/

No confidence vote passed

I'm confused now. It that vote a good or bad thing?

Vote on all three motions that passed were good in my opinion - but, what is unknown (at least to me) is what will happen next. Will Marlin Govt/Council of Ministers dissolve Parliament and call for elections? That is not good for anyone - again my opinion.

Yes, I agree that the vote of no confidence was appropriate, in my opinion. The story seemed to think that Marlin would call elections, which would be a very bad thing, in my opinion. I worry that there will be civil unrest.

Yes and delay reconstruction ....not good and I had thought Sarah was lobbying for No elections until the island becomes stable .

That's what she wants, but apparently Marlin can dissolve the Parliament, which means that they have to hold elections. Which will DEFINITELY delay reconstruction and probably receipt of the money from Holland.

In the past when elections were held, the amount of lumber, plywood and expense was enormous. This would be a huge waste in light of what is really needed for the island.

Motion #1 Amend draft national ordinance Integrity Chamber
Motion #2 Expression of no objection to draft national ordinance Integrity Chamber with amendments
Motion #3 Motion of no confidence against Marlin cabinet.

Investors do not like unstable Governments! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" />

Doesn't the article specifically say that resolutions were passed to adopt both of the requirements set by the Dutch government? If so, then it looks like the receipt of the money may not be delayed, and also that there will be some degree of independent control over how it gets spent.

The resolutions were passed, yes. But the point is that if Marlin calls elections, technically he stays in power until the elections are held. And according to the Dutch, they say that he still has not UNEQUIVOCALLY agreed to the Dutch terms.

No mention of accepting Dutch conditions. No mention of accepting border control. Integrity Chambers with amendments sounds like conditions added on the side of St. Maarten.

The whole purpose of the coalition of 8 was to AGREE to all the Dutch terms. I think they had to amend the current proposal for the Integrity Chamber to comply with the Dutch conditions. Now Marlin has certainly gone back and forth on the topic, yes.

Marlin dissolves Parliament SXM does not need this now. I wonder what the Dutch will do.

He is trying his best to survive.

Leslie-

What are your thoughts on this whole process? Do you think an election would be a good or bad thing for the people? From the outside it looks as if things are unstable with all of the fighting. Although, I assume it needs to happen. I was just wondering your thoughts "as an island resident". How does all of this actually affect the residents? Just curious. Thanks.

Mike

We don't need nor can handle an Elections at this time. We have too much of suffering going on. People are totally pissed off on the Prime Minister.

That's how I read the situation also. I worry that the Dutch will delay the aid, as Marlin still continues to talk out of both sides of his mouth.

Well they did state that the whole Parliament has agree to the demands , however they awaiting the documents signed.

That is exactly what I thinking too. It seems that common sense would tell you the PM is just causing problems for the people who he is supposed to be governing. I don’t blame the people at all for being upset at him. I can’t even think if a reason why his actions could be considered acceptable. We will keep your island in our prayers and hope for the best result from this unfortunate situation.

It would seem that St. Maarten is desperate need of a very trustworthy, honest, intelligent person with common sense to lead them. Have you ever considered running for office, Leslie? You would make a fine leader and role model.

Curious re how the St Maarten Parliament works with the Governor General
Canada has a Parliament and GG. If the ruling party wants to dissolve and call an election they "ask" the GG - normally a formality, but the Cdn GG does have the option of asking the position if they can form a government - Not unheard of

Does that exist in St Maarten

Just curious

J&B

I wondered the same thing and had seen several references to a "governor". Checked with Wikipedia to find out that "The Governor of Sint Maarten is the representative on Sint Maarten of the Dutch head of state (King Willem-Alexander). The governor's duties are twofold: he represents and guards the general interests of the Kingdom and is head of the government of Sint Maarten."

So it would appear to me that SXM "governor" position serves the same purpose as our "governor general" and would be the final authority on whether new elections are required to form a government or the new coalition could just take over.

Hopefully this is resolved soon so that things can move forward!

It is beyond imagination how utterly stupid Marlin is acting now and has been acting all along. He never, ever seems to think of doing anything remotely like competent governance.

Thanks for the kind words , however I'm not into Politics.

...or what's in the best interests of the people..

Elections to be held January 8

I was looking into the St Maarten system earlier this week. I found that it is quite different from the system we have in Canada. The parliament is elected. The Parliament then elects the PM and cabinet. PM and Cabinet ministers can NOT be members of the parliament. The PM can submit a draft decree to the government to dissolve parliament, or the parliament can pass a decree to dissolve itself. Parliament can, as it did yesterday, vote out the cabinet (or any individual minister).

What I don't understand is why the governor just signed the decree submitted by the PM to dissolve parliament, when there appeared to be a workable majority in parliament that could have elected a new cabinet. It would seem to me that the chamber that gets voted in by the general population should supersede the cabinet. But I am not familiar enough with their system to understand all the nuances.

Should there be new elections in St. Maarten in January, an agreement between the Netherlands and Sint Maarten - for a million fund for reconstruction after Hurricane Irma - seems to be no longer available.
The Saint-Martin parliament has sent away the government of Prime Minister William Marlin on Thursday because Marlin does not fully agree with the strict conditions. But Secretary of State Raymond Knops (Kingdom Relations) only wants to "do business" with a government that is sitting on St. Maarten for a long time. The Netherlands is afraid that decisions after the elections can be "reversed".

link posted shortly...

Way to go, Marlin

What a holy mess. They can’t wait for 2 months for this help. I don’t understand why Sarah couldn’t have formed the new government-she had a majority.

http://soualiganewsday.com/local/soualig...january-18.html



Signed, sealed and delivered.

Feel so bad for the people of SXM <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

Pure selfishness.

Theo on holding elections

Some Dutch politicians on holding elections

US party will not put up billboards

Sarah says she won't be part of Marlin's puppet show

Meantime, Dutch aid is on hold

And that last is the real crime against the people of Sint Maarten. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Agreed.

Carol that pretty much sums it up . The Pm’s Actions and The Governor’s support need to be seriously challenged . I read that members within the Dutch goverment has stated that it is not time for elections . The Dutch government needs to have a fire side chat with their appointed Governor and change the direction of this decision .

The Governor could still send a resolution for annulment to the Kingdom Government if it is in conflict with the Kingdom Charter and show it is not in the interest of the SXM to disrupt stabilty at this time.

Nice but I believe he has already signed in agreement with Marlin ..Perhaps he can still change his mind .

Looks like SXM is going to have a long road to recovery.

article here

Looks like both parties are going to have a long hard fight. So the help money will be delayed at least till Jan. 8 election. that is If the election happens a t all, the election is not contested AND IF the same people are not voted in again. Just cause there is an election doesn't equate to a change.

Wendell

You know, it's real nice that they blame Sarah for this whole thing. What created this whole thing was Marlin, who needed to agree to the Dutch conditions, period. Meanwhile, the aid that the people NEED is delayed because of his arrogance.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Meanwhile he accepts $105,000 from Chinese government

Yes, I saw that. I guess that was his "plan B".

VVD Second Chamber Member Andre Bosman advocates postponing the elections on the island.
"Many islanders do not even have an address. You can not even send them a vote."
The solution is, according to Bosman, that the politicians who dropped Prime Minister William Marlin last week formed a new government. The new government can also ensure that elections are held in a proper manner in January 2019.
https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nederland/polit...aos-nu-te-groot

Where to from here?
Sarah says she is considering options No idea what that means. Encouraging civil unrest??

Meanwhile, electoral council does not have an office

and

Dutch government is talking about taking over SXM somehow

That last option would seem the best at this point.

great idea. We have to ask where the money is going???? Some believe pockets have been filled and not for the good of the Island... The Island does need money for repairs even in normal times... The government has not lived up to putting back. but that's my opinon. Now before I say more!!! let me go scream in the shower... lol

It is really a shame that the people have to suffer because of egotistical politicians. Sounds like it is time for them to admit their error and allow the kingdom to appoint interim leaders to take on the day to day operations until the recovery is well underway, then allow the residents to elect new leaders who hopefully will have the island's best interests in the forefront. Unfortunately SXM isn't the only place experiencing political turmoil. Gas prices just went up nearly 20 cents per gallon here in Sarasota because of the Saudi situation. Not to mention our own partisan problems here in the USA

Best opinion I've read so far.

The existing government has to put their egos on hold and work on the behalf of the people of the island and if that's what it takes to make them do so, IMHO, so be it!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />