The organizations Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement (URSM), Democratic Party (DP), Party for Progress (PFP) and Nation, Opportunity Wealth (NOW) signed a historic agreement a few hours ago that finalized their coalition government for the period 2024-2028.

Each of these forces won only two seats in last Thursday’s legislative elections, but by uniting, they now have a combined eight of the 15 seats in Parliament.

With that determination, they won control of said body from the current ruling coalition, made up of the National Alliance (NA) and the United Popular Party (UPP).

During the January 11 elections, NA only retained four of the six seats it had and UPP was left with three of the four occupied since 2020, an insufficient result to remain in power.

Observers and the local press describe the events as the biggest political shakeup for Saint Martin after becoming an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010, a status that gave it more freedom to make its own legal, administrative and political decisions.

Even the leaders of URSM, DP, PFP and NOW set out in their agreement a comprehensive vision for the next four years, focusing on key issues such as economic development, social well-being and environmental sustainability of the former Dutch colony.

The 15 elected deputies must assume their positions on February 10 and then the appointment of the Prime Minister plus the formation of the cabinet that will accompany him in his management will take place.

Fourteen thousand 678 citizens of the 22,553 eligible to vote for 129 candidates from eight parties attended the elections.

The Parliament of Saint Martin is unicameral, while the Prime Minister only heads the Government because the king of the Netherlands still serves as head of state.

In addition, the president has the task of appointing the members of the Cabinet and proposing to the Dutch sovereign a governor for Saint Martin, who will represent the crown for six years.

oda/ymr