July 2024 Sint Maarten general election
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Snap general elections are planned to be held in Sint Maarten on 18 July 2024 following the early dissolution of the parliament elected in January.[1]
Background[edit]
Following the January 2024 general elections a four-party government was formed between the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM), the Democratic Party, the Party for Progress and Nation Opportunity Wealth, all of which had won two seats.[2] Luc Mercelina's URSM, having received the most votes of the 4 parties, will lead the new government with Mercelina as Prime Minister.[3] Elected members took office on 10 February 2024, followed by a coalition deal on 21 February.[4] The new government with Mercelina as Prime minister eventually took the oath of office on 3 May.[5] However, the government collapsed 18 days later as Kevin Maingrette, an MP from the Nation Opportunity Wealth party, left the coalition to join the opposition. This crossing the floor cost the coalition its majority, leading Mercelina to dissolve parliament and call for new snap elections.[6]
Electoral system[edit]
The 15 seats in the Estates are elected by proportional representation.[7] 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.[8]
References[edit]
- ^ "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 2024-01-14.
- ^ "Dr. Mercelina gives update on the Formation". 721 News. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ Dept, Editorial (2024-05-03). "New Council of Ministers appointed and sworn-in". The Daily Herald. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ Wong, Melissa (21 May 2024). "Sint Maarten to dissolve Parliament paving way for snap election". Loop News. Retrieved 22 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.
