The political leaders of the National Alliance and the Democratic Party of St. Maarten, William V. Marlin and Sarah A. Wescot-Williams respectively,
And the undersigned members of the Parliament of St. Maarten, Patrick Illidge, Frans Richardson, Romain Laville, George Pantophlet, Hyacinth Richardson, Lloyd Richardson, Louie Laveist, Roy Marlin, Leroy de Weever, representing a majority of 10 seats in the Parliament of St. Maarten and hereinafter referred to as "The Parties"
Considering:
Their expressed desire to work together in the interest of St. Maarten following the loss of support for the UP/DP government by a parliamentary majority:
Hereby declare to have reached an agreement in principle on the formation of the next government of St. Maarten and further declare that:
Central to this agreement is a government that is tuned to the needs of the residents of our country; cognizant of the importance of a sustainable development; respectful of the diversity of persons residing here harmoniously; and committed to improving the lives of all citizens through a balanced approach of job creation, enabling entrepreneurship and a social system that is efficient, cost-effective and responsive.
This agreement in entered into for the remainder of the governing period, 2010 – 2014.
Parties agree that the National Alliance shall designate 3 Ministers, viz. the Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Education.
The Democratic Party shall designate two (2) ministers, viz. the Prime Minister/Minister of General Affairs and the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour.
Independent Members Richardson and Laville will jointly designate the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication and Independent member Illidge shall designate the Minister of Justice.
The substitution for these Ministers shall be regulated as follows:
For the Prime Minister/Minister of General Affairs, the Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure;
For the Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister/Minister of General Affairs
For the Minister of Education, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour;
For the Minister of Tourism, the Minister of Education
For the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Finance
For the Minister of Housing, the Minister of Economic Affairs
For the Minister of Public Health, the Minister of Justice.
Parties further agree that the National Alliance will designate the Chairperson of Parliament of St. Maarten, Independent member Laville will serve as the deputy Chairperson and the Democratic Party will designate the Second Deputy Chairperson of Parliament of St. Maarten;
Parties further agree that The Democratic Party shall designate the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague and the National Alliance shall designate the Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary.
The Ministers of Government shall be called upon to work diligently to avoid any disruption as a result of the change in government and call upon the civil service to aid in this endeavor.
Of paramount importance are the prudent management of government finances and the preparations for the drafting of the budget 2013. Large scale programs such as the reform of our fiscal system and the general health insurance must be provided all the necessary resources to be concluded within 180 days.
Parties recognize the urgent need for implementation of ordinances, decreed by several organic laws and for redefining parts of the government structure. Transparency and a reduction of bureaucracy are vital components of this redefinition.
As part of its social development programs, focus will be on specific target groups, such as the elderly, the disabled and the youth.
The undersigned signatories to this declaration jointly and individually pledge their full support to carry out the provisions of this declaration to the fullest extent possible.
Parties commit themselves to establish a Governing Program for the Government of St. Maarten within 90 days after taking office and which will be based on the following premises and principles:
The NA/DP/I-3 governing program shall include a Plan of Action that shall set forth the projects and programs to be carried out as priorities of the Government of St. Maarten for the remainder of the 2010-2014 governing term, the duration and cost of these projects and the financing modalities.
The following areas of initial concentration are being highlighted and shall be further developed in the Action Plan:
DISTRICT IMPROVEMENTS
EDUCATION
SAFETY
ECONOMY
THE ENVIRONMENT
INFRASTRUCTURE
HEALTH CARE
SOCIAL WELFARE
HOUSING
There shall be coalition meetings of the Members of Parliament supporting the government and shall further include all the Ministers. William Marlin shall be the chairman of the coalition meetings and in his absence Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams will chair the meeting.
Coalition meetings shall be held every fortnight and or prior to public meetings of the Parliament.
The coalition shall meet on all important and key issues and matters confronting the government of St. Maarten or the execution of the governing accord.
Parties shall inform the Governor of St. Maarten, the Governments of the Kingdom, Curacao and Aruba, as well as the Governments of the BES Islands of this declaration.
Neither party, the signatories hereto nor any members or functionary of the parties hereto shall do anything to hinder, disturb, frustrate or impede the execution of this accord, agreements or actions resulting from this accord.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF parties have placed their signatures on this 11th day of May, 2012.
_______________ ___________________ _____________ _______________
William V. Marlin Sarah Wescot-Williams, Patrick Illidge, Frans Richardson,
_____________ ___________________ __________________
Romain Laville, George Pantophlet, Hyacinth Richardson,
_______________ _____________ _____________ _________________
Lloyd Richardson Louie Laveist, Roy Marlin, Petrus L. de Weever,