Parliament of Sint Maarten

The Parliament unanimously approved an advice from the Central Committee of Parliament to put forward Member of Parliament, Mr. Francisco A. Lacroes as the First Vice Chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs, Social Debt and Regional Development of the Parliament of Latin America and the Caribbean (Parlatino), on behalf of the Parliament of Sint Maarten.

Subsequently, Parliament also unanimously approved and ratified the Parliament of Sint Maarten accepting and becoming an Associate Member of ParlAmericas. This accession as an Associate Member of ParlAmericas will allow Parliament to continue to strengthen its engagement in regional parliamentary cooperation, democratic governance, and inter-parliamentary dialogue throughout the Caribbean region and the Americas.

During the deliberations of agenda point 4, the lack of confidence in the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Members of Parliament were given the opportunity to speak in the first round. During this round, three draft motions were submitted, respectively, by MP Christopher L. Wever, MP Francisco A. Lacroes, and MP Ardwell M.R. Irion. After the Minister of VSA, Mr. Richinel S.J. Brug responded to the questions and comments in the first round and the Members spoke in the second round, the deliberations were ended and Parliament went over to voting on the draft motions.

The draft motion of no confidence submitted by MP Wever against the Minister of VSA, Mr. R.S.J. Brug was accepted with 8 votes for and 7 votes against.

The draft motion submitted by MP Lacroes, seeking to urge the Minister of VSA to immediately investigate the legal status and medical practice of a specific individual, determine whether proper procedures and regulations were followed, identify any possible breaches or interference, report the findings confidentially to Parliament, take immediate action against any unauthorized practice, and strengthen enforcement of requirements governing medical professionals in Sint Maarten, was accepted unanimously with 15 votes for and 0 against.

The draft motion of disapproval concerning the Minister of VSA, submitted by MP Irion, was withdrawn at his request and not voted upon, following the adoption of the first motion.