GREAT BAY--Democratic Party faction leader MP Viren Kotai closed the 2025-2026 Parliamentary Year with a call for Parliament to remain firm in its oversight role, even when its members form part of the governing coalition, while urging government to deliver meaningful cost-of-living relief, strengthen public institutions and ensure that economic growth reaches ordinary households.
Reflecting on the parliamentary year, Kotai acknowledged that several areas of government require improvement and greater urgency, transparency, accountability and follow-through. At the same time, he cautioned against judging governance as though every challenge can be avoided or every plan executed without setbacks.
Kotai said St. Maarten has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to endure difficult periods, pointing to hurricanes, economic hardship, political instability and global crises.
While the Democratic Party is part of the governing coalition, he stressed that this does not diminish the constitutional responsibility of Members of Parliament to scrutinize government.
“We must ask questions. We must scrutinize. We must hold Government accountable. And when something can be done better, we must be prepared to say so,” Kotai said.
He also urged MPs to exercise responsibility in how information is communicated to the public, arguing that transparency and accountability should not be confused with unnecessarily damaging confidence in public institutions before all the facts are known.
“There is a difference between holding our institutions accountable and unnecessarily undermining them. There is a difference between keeping the public informed and creating unnecessary uncertainty before all the facts are known,” he said.
Kotai said difficult conversations should be based on facts, conducted respectfully and accompanied by solutions.
Turning to the economy, Kotai recognized the work of the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication in attracting visitors to St. Maarten, but said tourism numbers cannot be the sole measurement of economic success.
“High visitor numbers are important, but numbers alone cannot be the final measurement of success. Our people must feel the economy working for them,” he said.
Kotai also commended the Prime Minister for working across party lines in search of relief for residents, but stressed that the process must ultimately produce tangible results.
“Our people cannot live on discussions alone. They cannot pay their bills with promises. They cannot take good intentions to the supermarket,” Kotai said.
He added that whatever relief government eventually implements must be meaningful, responsible and reach the people who need it.
On public finances, Kotai recognized the Minister of Finance’s efforts to bring the 2027 budget forward in a timely manner. He said timely budgeting is important for good governance and financial planning, but urged government to place greater emphasis on sustainable revenue generation.
“Our conversation cannot continuously be about what we cannot afford. We must also talk about how we grow,” he said.
Kotai also identified Justice and public safety as areas requiring continued attention. He noted that criminal activity and the methods used by offenders continue to evolve, meaning government and law enforcement must also adapt.
“We cannot continuously fight today’s problems with yesterday’s solutions,” he said.
The DP faction leader said being part of government requires the maturity to recognize progress while still identifying shortcomings.
“We can commend a Minister and still ask for more. We can support our Government and still hold it accountable. We can celebrate progress and still recognize that our destination has not yet been reached,” Kotai said. “That is not contradiction. That is our responsibility.”
Looking toward the new parliamentary year, Kotai said St. Maarten needs consistency, accountability, innovation and cooperation, as well as leaders prepared to adjust when policies or approaches do not produce the intended results.
He described his vision as one in which economic growth reaches households, opportunities are available beyond a select few, public institutions function efficiently, young people can see a future for themselves at home and political differences do not prevent cooperation when the national interest is at stake.
Kotai concluded by urging his fellow MPs to continue asking difficult questions while also contributing to solutions. He called on the Council of Ministers to continue where progress has been made, improve where necessary and change course when something is not working.
He also encouraged residents to continue holding elected officials accountable.
“We sit in these seats because you placed your confidence in us,” Kotai said.
He stressed that while the Democratic Party is part of the governing coalition, the interests of St. Maarten must remain above party, coalition and individual political interests.
“There is much work still to be done,” Kotai said, adding that Parliament and government must continue working toward the St. Maarten that residents “not only want, but truly deserve.”
