Chairlady Wescot-Williams submits initiative to amend Articles 59 and 33 of the constitution of St. Maarten

GREAT BAY--Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams closed the 2024–2025 Parliamentary year on Monday, September 8, by announcing key constitutional reform proposals and calling for greater accountability in parliamentary decision-making.

Central to her address were her initiatives to amend Article 59 of the Constitution, which governs the dissolution of Parliament, and to operationalize Article 33, which regulates motions of no confidence.

“I have finally submitted the initiative I have spoken about over and over again, amending Article 59 of the Constitution regarding the dissolution of Parliament, and drafting the ordinance regarding Article 33,” Wescot-Williams said. She explained that a start note has been prepared for Article 59 to outline the rationale and options for reform, stating:

“Application of Article 59 currently is not keeping with the spirit of how it was put in our Constitution. Parliament must have this discussion.”

On Article 33, she underscored the importance of giving motions of no confidence proper legal grounding: “Motions must not remain paper declarations. Parliament must move from motion to materialization, from request to result. They must be intentional, balanced, and most of all realistic.”

She also called for deeper structural reforms in Parliament, including establishing topical committees on health and education, expanding investigative capacity, and embedding a culture of structured decision-making based on problem, responsibility, action, and accountability.

“The people of Sint Maarten deserve more than reflections of the past. They deserve direction for the future. They deserve a Parliament that leads transformation and a government that acts as one.”

The articles in question:

Article 59 – Dissolution of Parliament

• Article 59(1): “Parliament may be dissolved by national decree.”

• Article 59(2): An order for dissolution must also stipulate that new elections be held and that the newly elected Parliament convene within three months.

• Article 59(3): The dissolution becomes effective on the day the newly elected Parliament meets.

Article 33 – Motions of No Confidence

• Article 33(2): If a minister no longer enjoys Parliament’s confidence, they “shall surrender their office.”

• Article 33(3): The legislature has the authority, by national ordinance, to detail how such motions are to be applied and the subsequent procedural steps.

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