Luc Mercelina to Steer Formation of New Government in St. Maarten

Luc Mercelina of URSM has been appointed as ‘formateur’ to lead the formation of a new government in St. Maarten, with an expected official installation by February 10.

In a significant political development, Luc Mercelina, the torchbearer of the United Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM), has been appointed as ‘formateur’ to shepherd the creation of a new government in the wake of recent elections in St. Maarten. The URSM, in a prospective coalition with the Democratic Party (DP), Party for Progress (PFP), and Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW), all holding two seats, is poised to form a government with a slender majority in the 15-seat Parliament.

New Government in Waiting

The formation of the new government is scheduled to be officially completed by February 10. The entire process is informed by a report from ‘informateurs’ Nilda Arduin and Candia Joseph, as well as the political manifestos of the involved parties. Before the new Council of Ministers can step into their roles, candidates for ministerial positions must undergo rigorous screening.

Caretaker Government Holds the Fort

Until the new government assumes full control, the caretaker Jacobs II Cabinet will oversee the country’s affairs without making any new commitments. This interim period calls for astute governance and careful decision-making.

First Challenge: The Budget Approval

A significant challenge awaits the incoming legislature – the end of March deadline for an approved 2024 budget. The Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT) expects this crucial task to be completed in a timely manner. However, major modifications to the budget by the incoming government are not projected due to the narrow timeframe. The future coalition must tread carefully through the budget approval process to prevent financial instructions or decrees from the Kingdom Council of Ministers RMR in The Hague, which could ensue if the deadline is not met.