PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance faction in Parliament has raised serious concerns regarding the government's failure to ratify and publish the 2025 Budget, questioning whether financial operations are being conducted in accordance with the Constitution of Sint Maarten.
As of today, the 2025 Budget remains unapproved and unpublished, meaning the government is operating without an official financial framework. According to Article 100 of the Constitution, government spending is restricted under such circumstances, permitting only essential financial operations. The National Alliance has formally requested clarification on whether the government is adhering to these constitutional limitations.
In a letter submitted to the President of Parliament, MP Sarah Wescot Williams, the National Alliance faction has requested that the Prime Minister, Luc Mercelina, and Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, provide urgent answers regarding financial governance and transparency.
The faction has posed the following critical questions:
1. Has the government made any expenditures or payments based on the proposed Budget 2025 despite its lack of ratification and publication
2. What legal basis is the government using to justify any expenditures beyond the spending limitations outlined in Article 100
3. Can Parliament receive a comprehensive list of all government payments exceeding 50000 guilders made in the last two months
4. If any payments above this threshold have been made, were they in alignment with constitutional provisions and Kingdom financial supervision rules
5. Can the Minister of Finance provide Parliament with an official statement regarding how government operations are being financed during this period
The National Alliance faction emphasizes that transparency and adherence to the rule of law are critical in maintaining public trust and ensuring financial stability. The faction is urging the government to respond without delay and provide clarity on whether it is complying with Sint Maarten’s constitutional and financial regulations.
The faction remains committed to protecting the financial integrity of the country and will continue to hold the government accountable for its actions.
