PHILIPSBURG - The coalition led by physician Luc Mercelina has emerged stronger from the elections. Both Mercelina's URSM party and coalition partner DP gained an additional seat, bringing their totals to three seats each.
The third coalition partner, the PFP, also received many votes but retained its current two seats. The fourth coalition party, NOW, lost one seat and is left with only one.
Mercelina also became the politician with the highest number of preferential votes, totaling 1,315. Many voters in Sint Maarten feel that Mercelina has not had a fair opportunity to govern effectively and are granting him a second chance.
Although the National Alliance, led by former Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, officially became the largest party with a lead of about 30 votes over Mercelina's NSRM, the strong results of the current coalition make it unlikely that a government will be formed under the National Alliance's leadership.
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Other politicians who garnered significant votes include Ludmilla de Weever (PFP) with 690 votes, Otmar Ottley (UP) with 666 votes, and Grisha Heyliger-Marten (DP) with 477 votes.
Controversial politician Olivier Arrindell failed to realize his ambitions; his party received just over 500 votes in total, meaning neither he nor his party will secure a seat in parliament.