August 2024 Sint Maarten general election
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Snap general elections will be held in Sint Maarten on 19 August 2024,[1] following the early dissolution of the parliament elected in January.[2]
Background
[edit]Following the January 2024 general elections a four-party government was formed by the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM), the Democratic Party, the Party for Progress and Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW), all of which had won two seats.[3] As the URSM received the most votes of the four, its leader Luc Mercelina became Prime Minister.[4] Elected members took office on 10 February 2024,[5] and Mercelina took the oath of office on 3 May.[6] However, the government collapsed 18 days later when NOW MP Kevin Maingrette left the coalition to join the opposition. This crossing the floor cost the coalition its majority, leading Mercelina to dissolve parliament and call snap elections.[7] However, on 27 May Maingrette withdrew his support for the opposition and expressed support for the Mercelina administration despite still sitting as an independent.[8] However, the elections remained scheduled.[9]
Electoral system
[edit]The 15 seats in the Estates are elected by proportional representation.[10] In order to participate in the election, new parties and parties without a seat in parliament are required to obtain at least 144 signatures; 1% of the valid votes of the January 2024 general elections.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Sint Maarten gearing up for snap election in August". Loop News. 28 May 2024.
- ^ "SXM PM Mercelina calls snap elections". Times Caribbean Online. 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Sint Maarten: Four political parties sign historic coalition agreement". Loop News. 14 January 2024.
- ^ "BREAKING NEWS: URSM, DP PFP, N.O.W. Forge Historic Coalition Agreement for 2024-2028 Term". St. Martin News Network. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Dr. Mercelina gives update on the Formation". 721 News. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ "New Council of Ministers appointed and sworn-in". The Daily Herald. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Wong, Melissa (21 May 2024). "Sint Maarten to dissolve Parliament paving way for snap election". Loop News. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Independent MP Kevin Maingrette withdraws support from Great Eight". 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "URSM denies having influenced Maingrette's decision to return". 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ The Constitution Archived 2016-03-25 at the Wayback Machine Estates of Sint Maarten
- ^ "Election Ordinance - Government of Sint Maarten" (PDF). Government of Sint Maarten.
