In a transition of power, Dr. Luc Mercelina has assumed the role of Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs in Sint Maarten, following the 2024 Parliamentary election results.
The appointment ceremony, presided over by Governor Ajamu G Baly on May 3, marked the official transition from former PM Silveria Jacobs.
Peaceful transition amid electoral shifts
Following the electoral showdown, which saw fifteen parliamentary seats contested, Dr. Mercelina’s appointment signifies a pivotal moment in Sint Maarten’s political landscape.
The election mandated a majority of eight seats for governmental formation, a threshold successfully met by Dr. Mercelina’s coalition.
Dr. Luc Mercelina
Born in Curacao, the 59-year-old Dr. Mercelina brings a diverse background to his new role, having established himself not only as a skilled surgeon but also as the visionary leader behind the Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement (URSM).
Council of ministers unveiled
Accompanying Dr. Mercelina in his governmental endeavor are a cadre of ministers, each entrusted with key portfolios crucial for the island’s development:
- Veronica C Jansen-Webster: Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure, also serving as Deputy Prime Minister. Additionally, she holds the portfolio of Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labour.
- Lyndon CJ Lewis: Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport, alongside the responsibility of Minister of Justice.
- Marinka J Gumbs: Minister of Finance, tasked with steering the island’s economic course.
- Grisha S Heyliger-Marten: Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication, pivotal for Sint Maarten’s connectivity and economic growth.
Governor’s observations
Governor Ajamu G Baly remarked on the significance of the January 11, 2024, Parliamentary elections, underscoring the emergence of a new cohort of parliamentarians who laid the foundation for the new government.
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