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Parliament of Sint Maarten

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Parliament of Sint Maarten

Staten van Sint Maarten
5th Parliament of Sint Maarten
Type
Type
History
Founded10 October 2010 (2010-10-10)
Leadership
Luc Mercelina, URSM
since 3 May 2024
Sarah A. Wescot-Williams[1], DP
since 10 February 2024
Structure
Seats15
Parliament political groups
Government (8)[2]
  •   URSM (2)
  •   DP (2)
  •   PFP (2)
  •   N.O.W. (2)

Opposition (7)

Elections
Parliament voting system
Proportional representation
Last Parliament election
11 January 2024
Motto
Latin: coram populo
Website
www.sxmparliament.org

The Parliament of Sint Maarten (Dutch: Staten van Sint Maarten) is a unicameral legislature that consists of 15 members, each elected for a four-year term in a general election. The first parliament was installed on 10 October 2010, the date of the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, and consisted of the members of the predecessor island council elected on 17 September 2010.[3] The current President of Parliament is Sarah A. Wescot-Williams.[4]

Role and function

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The parliament is the highest legislative body of the country and represents the entire population of the Dutch side of the island. The parliament consists of 15 members who are elected for a four-year period. The session year of parliament commences on the second Tuesday of September. During this session, the Governor provides an explanation of the policy to be pursued by the government. The parliament elects a President and Deputy President from its own numbers. The President of Parliament opens and closes the session year of the Parliament. Parliament is sometimes called a "co-legislator" with the Government, because both have control over policy.

Parliament's powers include:

  • The right to approve and amend the budget
  • The right of interpellation where each Member of Parliament (MP) has the right to question ministers of government in the General Assembly of Parliament
  • The right of initiative allows MPs to submit draft laws on their own initiative
  • The right to amendment, allows MPs to amend legislation that has been submitted to Parliament
  • The right to ask questions, every MP can question a Minister orally or in writing
  • The right to instigate inquiries allows parliament to institute an inquiry into the state of affairs in an event in which Government is involved

Current parliament

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The Government of Sint Maarten is based on a political party having a majority of the 15 seats in parliament. A political party would need to have eight seats in order to govern outright. However, more than one party can form a Government if parties can reach an agreement to do so. An independent member of parliament can also be part of the ranks of the opposition or be part of the governing party or coalition.

Current members of parliament were seated on February 9, 2024, following the January 2024 Sint Maarten general election.

Most recent election results

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PartyVotes%Seats+/–
National Alliance3,45523.924–2
United People's Party2,81419.483–1
Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement2,02814.042New
Democratic Party1,97013.642+1[a]
Party for Progress [nl]1,71711.8920
Nation Opportunity Wealth1,48110.252New
United St. Maarten Party6864.750–2
Empire Culture Empowerment Association2922.020New
Total14,443100.00150
Valid votes14,44397.75
Invalid votes3322.25
Blank votes00.00
Total votes14,775100.00
Registered voters/turnout22,55365.51
Source: Central Voting Bureau

Building

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Image of the Parliament of Sint Maarten building displaying the flag of Sint Maarten and the Netherlands
Parliament of Sint Maarten in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

The current parliament building is located at Wilhelminastraat #1, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Ran in the 2020 election as the United Democrats, winning one seat

References

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  1. ^ "President". Parliament of Sint Maarten. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Sint Maarten: Four political parties sign historic coalition agreement | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  3. ^ RNW.nl – Eilandsraad Sint Maarten unaniem achter staatsregeling
  4. ^ "Presidium". Parliament of Sint Maarten. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
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