Country Status St. Maarten
With the constitutional reform currently taking place within The Netherlands, St. Maarten is set to become an autonomous country within the kingdom of The Netherlands. Preparations are being made to dismantle The Netherlands Antilles which will give birth to a new constitution, legislation and government entity for St. Maarten.
Country St. Maarten will assume a fifteen-member parliament representing the entire St. Maarten populace; the prime minister will be head of parliament/government and will be appointed and dismissed by resolution. A joint court will exist between the new entities within the kingdom, of which Country St. Maarten will form part.
The Island Government
The island territory of St. Maarten is governed by the Island Regulation of the Netherlands Antilles (i.e. ERNA), and in accordance herewith the administration units of the Island Territory are:
I. The Island Council
II. The Executive Council
III. The Lieutenant Governor
Goverment Program 2007 - 2011
The Lieutenant Governor
In accordance with Article 63 of the Island Regulation, the Lieutenant Governor is appointed, suspended and discharged by the crown (Queen). He shall be appointed for a period of six years. He can be discharged at any time.
Only persons who are Dutch, not having been debarred from the right to vote on the strength of article 46 of the Federal Constitution, nor deprived of eligibility to hold office can be appointed to said function. He must be at least 25 years of age. More Info
The Island Council
The Island Council of St. Maarten consists of eleven (11) members, of which 5 members sit on the Executive Council and the additional 6 form part of the Island Council. In accordance with Article 16 of the present Island Regulation, the members are elected for a period of four (4) years. Members of the Island Council, could, but do not necessary have to be part of the Executive Council.
Before assuming their functions the members of the Island Council shall be administered the oath of office or they shall make a declaration or affirmation to the chairman of the Island Council (Article 22 of the Island Regulation).
Article 24 of the Island Regulation constitutes the authority of the Island Council. This article states:
- “So far as regulation and administration of own affairs of the island territory are concerned, all powers not assigned to the Lt. Governor or the Executive Council by this or any other legal regulation referred to in Article 2, sub (3), (a), (b) and (c) of the Federal Constitution, are vested in the Island Council”.
The Executive Council
Article 47 of the Island Regulation states that the Executive Council consists of the Lieutenant Governor, who is a member, as well as its chairman, and a minimum of two and a maximum of seven Commissioners as members. The Commissioners are elected by the Island Council. The Executive Council is charged with the daily administration
Present Island Council members not part of the Executive Council are:
Democratic Party
Petrus L. de Weever
National Alliance members (NA):
- William Marlin
- Frans Richardson
- Hyacinth Richardson
- George Pantophlet
Commissioner Sarah Wescot-WilliamsLeader of Government and Commissioner of: Education, Constitutional Affairs, Judicial Affairs, Women’s Affairs, Aviation
Commissioner Roy MarlinCommissionner of: Tourism, Finance, GEBE, Program & Project Bureau, Automation
Commissioner Theodore HeyligerCommissionner of: Harbour Affairs, Public Housing, Environmental Development & Property Management (ROB), Government Information Service (GIS), Fire Department & Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness,
Commissioner Maria Buncamper-MolanusCommissionner of: Public Health & Hygiene, Economic Affairs, Telecommunication, Personnel Affairs, Sports & Recreation
Commissioner Louie LaveistCommissioner of: Labour & Social Affairs, Traffic & Public Transportation, Youth Affairs, Culture, Facility Support Services, Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority (SLAC), Economic Development Corporation