PHILIPSBURG:--- For the second time this week, the governing coalition has been unable to secure a quorum for a Parliament meeting concerning the crucial 2025 national budget.
On Thursday morning, only six Members of Parliament were present in the House, falling short of the required number to proceed. Four other MPs were reportedly attending a Parlatino conference abroad, raising questions about the coalition’s priorities during a time of financial uncertainty.
The repeated failure to ensure quorum, especially on such vital matters, has drawn increasing criticism from the public and opposition MPs.
“This is becoming a dangerous pattern,” said one opposition member. “We are now in mid-May, and the 2025 budget remains unresolved. The people of Sint Maarten deserve better.”
This marked the second delay in a week for budget deliberations due to the absence of key coalition members. Without a quorum, Parliament was forced to adjourn, further stalling crucial national decisions.
Critics have pointed to the coalition's ongoing difficulties in fulfilling basic legislative duties as a sign of internal division and weak leadership, issues that Sint Maarten can ill afford amid growing financial challenges.
Parliament has not yet announced when the next meeting on the 2025 budget will take place.
