Fleming’s UPP scores historic victory
~ Will lead St. Martin into new era ~
MARIGOT--Louis-Constant Fleming’s party Union Pour le Progrès (UPP) swept to an historic election victory last night in a tight runoff against main rival Alain Richardson’s Rassemblement, Responsabilité, Réussite (RRR) party, to lay the cornerstone for a new governing administration and what many hope will be a reinvigorated St. Martin in the years to come.
Fleming’s party captured 3,773 votes (49.23 per cent) compared to RRR’s 3,222 votes (42 per cent), a difference of just 551 votes. Jean-Luc Hamlet’s party Réussir Saint-Martin fared slightly worse in the second round than the first, obtaining only 680 votes (8.87 per cent).
There were 15,519 persons on the electoral roll and a total of 7,884 voted (50.80 per cent). Of this number, 7,664 persons made a clear choice of party. There were 220 blank or illegible votes, and 7,635 abstentions.
There were euphoric scenes in the Mairie as results became clear as early as 8:00pm from the media centre. Louis-Constant Fleming himself was in the Mairie keeping track of the results with close supporters and when provisional results from all 13 voting stations were finally in, there were broad smiles, high-fives and cheering all around.
Fleming conducted press interviews amid chaotic scenes before giving an address to the hundreds of people gathered outside the Mairie who had been awaiting news of which party had won.
“I want to thank all the people of St. Martin for putting their confidence in our party to put in place the new Collectivité,” said Fleming. “I dedicate this victory to you, it’s your election, it’s your victory, and it’s a historic moment.
“I am honoured to be here at the beginning of this new era. The people can rest assured that I am prepared to continue working for St. Martin with the same determination I have had for the past 30 years. The people did not only vote for me, but our entire team of very fine men and women.”
Fleming noted that the high number of abstentions indicated that not everyone understood the concept of the Collectivité or believed it had begun, and said he was keen now to get the whole population behind him to make a new start for the French side.
“It’s now time for everyone to unite, and time to stop the separation between people,” he added. “This job can only be done with the input of everyone and we will make sure the population is involved in the building of St. Martin.”
RRR leader Alain Richardson arrived at the Mairie for press interviews and appeared gracious in defeat.
“On behalf of my party I want to express my gratitude to the Almighty for giving us the strength to carry us through this battle,” Richardson said. “I especially want to thank the 3,222 voters who put their trust in us, and I want to congratulate Union Pour le Progrès.
“Regarding what has been announced and what is promised, I can assure you we will be more than vigilant, we will be the voice of the people, and the young people in particular, in order to make sure that in the Territorial Council it is the young people, the economy, social justice and solidarity that emerge.”
Outgoing Mayor Albert Fleming congratulated leaders of both parties and expressed his hope that the political leaders would work together in the best interests of the island.
“This is just the beginning. Now the hard work starts and the people must come together,” he told the assembled crowd.
UPP will be in power for the first five-year mandate. The Sous-Préfecture indicated that it would have 16 seats in the Territorial Council, RRR 6 seats, and Réussir Saint-Martin 1 seat.
A representative of the Ministry of Overseas Territories will officially install the new Collectivité’s of St. Martin and St. Barths on July 15. On this day the elections will also take place for the president of the Territorial Council and the forming of the Executive Council.
Réussir Saint Martin leader Jean-Luc Hamlet was not available to comment on the election.
