PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Vice President of Parliament Hon. Cornelius de Weeveron Tuesday morning during a plenary session of the House of Parliament, closed the meeting based on Article 37 of the Rules of Order in order to seek legal advice regarding the Council of Ministers decision to dissolve Parliament and hold new elections.
The plenary session was related to the appointment of the President and two Vice Presidents of Parliament.
This meeting of the House was initially requested by the National Alliance Faction Members of Parliament (MPs) W.V. Marlin, S.E. Jacobs, Democratic Party Faction S.A. Wescot-Williams, United St. Maarten Party Faction F.G. Richardson, and MP M.A. Lake.
In the meantime, on Tuesday 13th October, the aforementioned MPs along with three other members of the House, namely, MP G. Pantophlet, MP C. Emmanuel and MP S. Matser, sent a new request for an urgent meeting of the House.
The agenda point noted in the letter is: “The illegal act by the vice-chair of Parliament on October 13th, the consequences for the functioning of parliament and for the representation of the people of St. Maarten.”
The Vice President of Parliament MP De Weever, stated that he will not entertain such a letter and is of the opinion that he did not perform an illegal act as noted in the letter, and that the letter should be resubmitted with different wording.
The Vice President says he also stands by his decision to seek legal advice with respect to the Council of Ministers decision to dissolve Parliament.
