Dear Reader
The atmosphere in the government coalition is rapidly souring and it seems to be only a matter of time before the curtains go down for the William Marlin cabinet. That scenario will not do anybody any good.
The President of Parliament, DP-MP Sarah Wescot-Williams lit the fire on Friday when she
criticized her coalition partners in a public meeting over their criticism of her
position on financial aid from the Netherlands.
If I cannot take that position, Wescot-Williams
said on Friday, then there is no place for me in this coalition.
Vromi-Minister Christophe Emmanuel did nothing to extinguish this political fire, by stating that “anyone who agrees with the Dutch conditions should not be part of this government.”
Interestingly, Emmanuel’s fellow party member MP Chanel Brownbill came out with a
statement on Sunday evening that makes clear that there is
a real war going on. And it’s not the opposition stoking that fire this time; the war is raging on within the ranks of the coalition parties – National Alliance, United St. Maarten party and Democratic Party.
I have to vote my conscience and I realize what that means,
Brownbill wrote, adding that he is taking a stand: “I stand with the people who are hurting and who are looking at us.”
Reading between the lines, one can almost smell that Brownbill is about to drop his support for the coalition. If that happens, and the DP does the same, then the Marlin-government will be sent home.
It is not a solution for the huge problems the country is currently struggling with, but the critics of Marlin’s government will be elated all the same.
We think that such a celebratory attitude is uncalled for; be careful what you wish for.
Another fallen government will once more bring to light how unable our local politicians are to bridge their differences and to find common ground at a moment in history when this is so sorely needed.
Thank you for your readership and do read the rest of our newsletter.
Once again, the letters to the editors have been pouring in over the weekend. You can read these below in this newsletter.
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