Cabinet Gumbs make portfolio’s available and new elections 9 February 2016

Harbour View, Sint Maarten – On October 28, 2015 His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, drs. E.B. Holiday, received letters from the entire Council of Ministers and the Minister Plenipotentiary stating that they are making their portfolios available. This as a result of the vote of no confidence, passed by Parliament on September 30, 2015, and the ongoing formation of a new interim cabinet by formateur Mr. W. Marlin.

The Governor informed the Prime Minister that he will take the resignation request into consideration pending the installation of the new interim government. He also repeated his call of October 5^th, 2015, that the Ministers and the Minister Plenipotentiary only handle the daily operations of government and continue working with him in the interest of Sint Maarten until a decision has been taken concerning the request for resignation.

Governor Holiday also received a revised draft national decree to dissolve Parliament and call for elections from the Prime Minister on Friday, October 23, 2015. This after he had advised the Prime Minister to seek consensus with Parliament and informed him that neither the initial draft of September 30, 2015 nor the adjusted draft of October 14, 2015 were in accordance with the electoral laws as required. The Governor having evaluated the revised national decree signed the national decree which calls for elections on February 9, 2016, and the dissolution of Parliament on March 14, 2016.

To recap the developments. On October 5, 2015, Governor Holiday, following the fall of and vote of no confidence against the current cabinet and extensive consultations with the Prime Minister, the leaders of political parties in Parliament and independent MPs, announced:

1. That the ministers had not yet made their positions available;
2. That the Council of Ministers had submitted a national decree to dissolve Parliament and call for new elections;
3. That there is no basis not to form a new government; and
4. That he was appealing to parties to foster actions in keeping with our constitution based on the rule of law.

Today October 28, 2015, Governor Holiday, following extensive political debate and legal advice requested and received from a panel of three judges, herewith confirms:

1. That October 22, 2015 he has appointed a formateur to form a new government;
2. That October 28, 2015 the Council of Ministers have made their positions available;
3. That October 28, 2015 he has signed the decree to dissolve Parliament and call for new elections; and
4. That he continues to appeal to all parties to act in accordance with the rule of law.

Cabinet Gumbs make portfolio’s available and new elections 9 February 2016