On Friday, November 17, 2017, His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, drs. E.B. Holiday, met with and received an update from formateur Mr. Franklin Meyer as a follow-up to the formation assignment of November 7, 2017.
During the meeting the formateur updated the Governor on the progress of matters related to the formation of the interim government. The formation of the interim government is supported by a coalition consisting of the United Peoples Party, the Democratic Party and Member of Parliament C.E. Brownbill, which with eight (8) seats represents a majority in parliament. The supporting parties have agreed on the division of the portfolios and selected persons for the screening as candidates for the posts of Prime Minister, Ministers, Minister Plenipotentiary and acting Minister Plenipotentiary. As a result the formateur has submitted the information of selected individuals and the screening of candidates has started.
The screening covers a background review of (a) the personal and professional credentials, (b) the financial position, (c) the fiscal (i.e. tax and social security premiums) compliance, (d) the judicial background including possible suspicious transactions, (e) the security background and (f) if necessary, the health condition of the candidates. The purpose of the screening is to assess the integrity, independence and solvency of the candidates as well as the stability of the new government.