Left: Louie Laveist's switch to the opposition could precipitate a power shift in St Maarten politics. Right: Wescot-Williams - 'With Laveist's support, NA will have six seats to the DP's five in the Island Council.' - Contributed Photos

There is political uncertainty hovering over the Eastern Caribbean island of St Maarten as the ruling party, which had a one-seat majority in the 11-member Parliament there, is reportedly on the brink of losing a member to the opposition.

But, up to Tuesday, that member had not formally advised the lieutenant governor of his intentions to switch allegiance.

The governing Democratic Party (DP), led by Sarah Wescot-Williams, has been affected by an announcement that Louie Laveist, commissioner of labour, social affairs, youth and culture, had resigned from the Executive Council, but remains a member of that country's Island Council (Parliament).

Forgery charges

Laveist, who is to face forgery charges in court in 2009, announced to the local press on Sunday that he had withdrawn his support from DP and would give "100 per cent" support to the opposition party, National Alliance (NA).

This means DP, headed by Wescot-Williams, will lose its majo-rity in the Island Council from the April 2007 election. With Laveist's support, NA will have six seats to the DP's five in the Island Council, if that party takes up his offer.

St Maarten, a Dutch territory, shares its island space with French St Martin. The political crisis is occurring at a time when St Maarten is vigorously pursuing more autonomy as a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Many are speculating that this incident will seriously erode efforts being made for separate status.

Up to press time, http://www.-sxmislandtime.com, a leading news website operated there by Jamaican Samuel Allen, reported that St Maarten's lieutenant governor had not yet been notified by Laveist about his decision to become an independent member of the Island Council.

St Maarten-based journalist, Judy H. Fitzpatrick, of The Daily Herald newspaper contributed to this report.