Ultimately, it is Daniel Gibbs who will represent Saint-Martin at the Senate Starting this Thursday, October 1st. Having come second in the first round, the former president of the Collectivity and elected member of the opposition reversed the trend in the second round and obtained 13 votes against 11 for Valérie Damaseau, with a spoiled ballot.
In the morning, Valérie Damaseau was in the lead with 11 votes, ahead of Daniel Gibbs (6), Raphaël Sanchez (4), Annick Pétrus (3), and Bernadette Venthou-Dumaine (1). Tristan Choppin Haudry de Janvry received no votes. No candidate reached the required 13 votes. a second round was organized in the afternoonOnly Valérie Damaseau and Daniel Gibbs ultimately submitted their applications.
A configuration change
Daniel Gibbs thus wins seven votes between the two rounds, while Valérie Damaseau retains her number of votes. The outgoing senator Annick PétrusShe, who did not seek re-election, announced that she voted for Daniel Gibbs in the second round. In a statement released after the vote, she explained that she made this choice because she believed he could “effectively defend the interests” of Saint-Martin in the Senate. She also announced her departure from the majority group. RSM-A, believing that trust had broken down. After six years in office, Annick Pétrus also indicated her intention to ensure a smooth handover of the files she had brought to her successor, particularly those concerning health, education, the high cost of living, and institutional issues. For his part, Daniel Gibbs said he was “honored” by the election, aware that “the people of Saint-Martin are counting on us. Democracy has spoken.” Among the issues he cited as priorities were the budget, health and educationHe also wishes to maintain a close link with local elected officials in order to bring local issues to the Senate.
A majority to be rebuilt
The vote comes as Louis Mussington's group, the RSM-A (Saint-Martin Alternative Gathering)The group has seen several departures. Bernadette Venthou-Dumaine and Raphaël Sanchez had already submitted separate candidacies for the Senate elections, while Martine Beldor and Valérie Fonrose have also left the group. This reshuffling alters the balance of power within the Territorial Council and could lead to further discussions between groups and independent elected officials. This is likely to reshape the local political landscape until the next territorial elections. Daniel Gibbs will take office as senator on October 1erfor a six-year term. Marie-Dominique Ramphort will accompany her as her substitute. _Vx
