UP and DP sign coalition accord
By Michael R. Granger
PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Sarah Wescot-Williams will be the first Prime Minister of Country St. Maarten. The United People's (UP) party and the DP signed a coalition accord dubbed the Country St. Maarten Accord on Tuesday night, uniting St. Maarten's youngest political party with its oldest for a minimal majority coalition (eight seats) in the first Parliament of Country St. Maarten.
Surrounded by hugging and cheering supporters dressed in red and green, UP leader and largest vote-getter in the Island Council elections of September 17 Theo Heyliger said that as of last night, differences were set aside and priority was given to working for the people of St. Maarten.
Besides Heyliger and Wescot-Williams, the other Parliamentarians-designate who signed were Gracita Arrindell, Romain LaVille, Jules James, Rhoda Arrindell, Sylvia Meyers and Leroy DeWeever. UP President Franklin Meyers and DP President Michael Ferrier also signed the accord.
Ferrier explained that the accord had been negotiated over a period of four days with the contributions of Joseph Richardson representing the UP and Andy Wescot who represented the DP. "Now we have a job to do and let's do it well," Ferrier said of the upcoming governing term.
Heyliger confirmed that negotiations between the two parties had started on election night from the moment polls closed. "Negotiations started immediately because we take governing this country very seriously," he said.
Ferrier then proceeded to read the division of portfolios and Ministries to which the two parties mutually had agreed. No mention was made about who was being appointed to any position. Each party is responsible for its own appointments, with the expectation that mutual consultations will take place. The parties agreed to the following division of portfolios and Ministries:
For the DP:
* Prime Minister, including General Affairs and Community Development
* Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague
* Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour
* Deputy Chairman of Parliament
The Shareholder representatives of government-owned companies to be appointed by the DP:
* Post NV
* TelEm Group of Companies
* Winair N.V.
For the UP:
* Deputy Prime Minister
* Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary
* Chairperson of Parliament
* Minister of VROMI and Infrastructure
* Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication
* Minister of Finance
* Minister of Justice
* Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports
The Shareholder representatives of government-owned companies to be appointed by the UP:
* Economic Development Corporation
* Princess Juliana International Airport
* GEBE
* St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies
Appointees to the following government entities will be agreed on by both parties:
* Joint Central Bank
* Foundation Land Registry (Cadastre)
* Supervisory Councils such as SER, Auditing Council and Advisory Council
Attachés to the following Dutch embassies, consulates and any other overseas entities not mentioned are to be agreed on jointly:
* The Dominican Republic
* Washington DC
* Cuba
* Trinidad
* Venezuela
* Miami
In addition, any difference of opinion between parties will be subjected to a joint arbitration committee of two, one from each party.
The agreement, along with the political programmes of both parties, will form the basis of a governing programme that shall be drafted within 60 days after taking office.
"Today I stand here refreshed and renewed after a very bitter campaign. Today we also stand here to bury all differences and work for the people of St. Maarten. Today the youngest party is signing an agreement with the oldest party in St. Maarten," Heyliger said, adding jokingly, "so I believe we now have all the levels of experience that we didn't have."
"To all of those who did not vote for the UP or the DP, we intend to work wholeheartedly for you as well. I have never been a person of vindictive attitude and those people who did not vote for us, they can rest assured that they will get the best in every field," he added.
Wescot-Williams called the event historic. "It's not going to be an easy task, but maybe that's the reason why the UP and the DP have joined to form the first government for country St. Maarten. Negotiations started early, knowing that the people of St. Maarten needed a government and that serious people are working for their future. We are committed to making sure that the foundation for country St. Maarten will be a solid one," she said.
"As far as we are concerned once those voting booths were closed, it was no longer a UP, no longer the DP, it is no longer a National Alliance for that matter. It is a government and a people, all of the people of St. Maarten," she added.
UP President Franklin Meyers said Country St. Maarten "can only be done together. The majority of the people have spoken. All of the people who voted for the UP and the DP voted against the National Alliance by more than 1,000 votes. The people of St. Maarten have spoken and that must be respected."
He closed with a quote from US President Barack Obama: "When people set aside their differences even for a moment to work in a common effort towards a common goal, when they struggle together and sacrifice together and learn from one another, all things are possible."
The expanded Island Council of 15, eight members from the DP-UP coalition and seven members from the National Alliance, will be sworn in on October 5 and the first Parliament of St. Maarten five days later, on October 10.
