The President of Parliament attends the signing of the Border Delimitation Treaty held at the Border Monument at Belle Plaine/Belvedere

On Friday, May 26, 2023, the Honorable President of Parliament, Mr. Sidharth M. Bijlani attended the signing of the Border Delimitation Treaty held at the Border Monument at Belle Plaine/Belvedere. The event was also attended by His Excellency the Governor, mr. Ajamu G. Baly, the Hon. Prime Minister, Ms. Silveria E. Jacobs, Members of Parliament, Ministers, and other dignitaries from both the French and Dutch sides of the island.

During the ceremony, speeches were given by the President of the Collectivity of Saint Martin, Mr. Louis Mussington, the Hon. Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Ms. Silveria E. Jacobs, and the Minister of the Interior of France, Mr. Gérald Darmanin.

Subsequently, the official signing of the Border Delimitation Treaty was done by the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and by the Minister of the Interior of France, on behalf of the French Republic.

For several years, there has been a disagreement between both sides of the island regarding the exact position of the border that separates Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin. Nevertheless, after nine years of discussions, today, May 26, 2023, the matter has been resolved, and a mutual understanding has been achieved on the border's location.

The President of Parliament meets with the Council of Advice of Sint Maarten and members of the Council

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the Chairman of Parliament, Mr. Sidharth M. Bijlani, met with the Vice Chair of the Council of Advice of Sint Maarten, Mrs. G.C. Richardson-Nicolaas, and members of the Council, Mr. A.W. Tatem and Ms. M.M. Hazel. This meeting is an annual one that the Council organizes for discussions between the Chairperson of Parliament and the Council of Advice. During this meeting, various topics of mutual interest related to developments on Sint Maarten, draft (initiative) national ordinances, and the functioning of both institutions were discussed.

President of Parliament Participates in National Remembrance Day

On Thursday, May 4, 2023, the Honorable President of Parliament, Mr. Sidharth M. Bijlani, participated in the National Remembrance Day, (“Dodenherdenkingsdag”).

This annual event, hosted by the Government of Sint Maarten, was attended by His Excellency the Governor, mr. Ajamu G. Baly, the Honorable Prime Minister, Ms. Silveria E. Jacobs, Member of Parliament, Ministers, other dignitaries, and uniformed organizations.

On this National Day of Remembrance, all Dutch victims, civilians, and soldiers, who were killed or murdered in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world in war situations or peace-keeping operations since the beginning of the Second World War were honored.

During the wreath-laying ceremony at the Captain Hodge Wharf in Philipsburg, the President of Parliament, Mr. Sidharth M. Bijlani, joined other dignitaries in laying a wreath at the War Memorial Monument, which bears the names of World War II victims who were predominantly born on Sint Maarten.

Meet with the Ambassador of India to Panama

On March 22, 2023, his Excellency, Ambassador of India to Panama, Mr. Upender Singh Rawat, and his wife Mrs. Dyuti Rawat paid a courtesy visit to the Hon. President of Parliament of Sint Maarten, Mr. Sidharth M. Bijlani. Mr. and Mrs. Rawat were accompanied by IMA Secretary Mr. Sunny Lalwani. To conclude the visit both parties exchanged tokens of appreciation.

Meet with President Youth Parliament

On Friday, January 27, 2023, the President of Parliament, Mr. Sidharth M. Bijlani, met with the President of the Youth Parliament of Sint Maarten, Ms. Angel Flanders. During this meeting, they discussed topics related to their respective roles, school curriculums, and preparations for the upcoming Royal Visit on February 6 and 7, 2023.

Meet with the Vice President of the Council of State of the Kingdom

On Saturday, January 7, 2023, the Chairman of Parliament, Mr. Sidharth M. Bijlani met with the Vice President of the Council of State of the Kingdom, Mr. Thom de Graaf. During this meeting, they discussed topics related to the Kingdom and the institutions they represent.

What does the President of Parliament do?

The President presides over the meetings of Parliament and maintains order during the deliberations and suspension thereof. The Rules of Order are an important tool to fulfill this task. The President ensures compliance with the Rules of Order by making sure for example that Members do not deviate from the topic at hand when they are speaking.

The President also presides over and directs the meetings of the Presidium. The Presidium supervises the work of the Secretary General and the secretariat.

The President represents Parliament locally and abroad. The President is the so called “face of Parliament”.

Furthermore, the President keeps an eye on the execution of the decisions of Parliament.

Election President

Based on article 57, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, Parliament appoints a President and Vice Presidents amongst its Members.

Article 6 of the Rules of Order prescribe that in the first public meeting to be held after a periodic resignation or dissolution, Parliament

appoints the President and the Vice Presidents. As long as such an appointment has not taken place yet, the President or the Vice President as appointed for the preceding period acts as President, if he forms part of the new Parliament.

In the absence of such a person, the member of the new Parliament who, amongst the members has had the longest membership in the body, the member who is the oldest in age acts as President, if there is no such person, the member who is the oldest in age acts as President.

Parliament can relieve a sitting President or Vice President prematurely of his duties and appoint another member as President or Vice President.

Voting for the position of President is done in accordance with articles 70 and further of the Rules of Order. Every Member of Parliament receives a blank piece of paper on which he or she writes down the name of the person he or she would like to become President. The Committee of tellers counts the votes cast and determines which Member has received the most amount of votes. This Member will then become the President. Who will become President of Parliament is most of the time agreed upon in the Governing Accord.

Presidency History

The Presidency exists since the inception of the Parliament of Sint Maarten on October 10, 2010. In accordance with the transitional provisions of the Constitution that went into effect the same day, the members of the Island Council for which elections were held on September 17, 2010, became Members of Parliament on the same date. However, the Parliament still needed to elect its President. Mr. Lloyd J. Richardson, MD as the oldest Member at the time presided over the proceedings. Below is an overview of the persons that have held the position of President since 2010:

- MP drs. Gracita A. Arrindell: October 10, 2010 – July 14, 2012, and June 24, 2013 – October 10, 2014

- MP drs. Rodolphe E. Samuel: July 15, 2012 – May 24, 2013

- MP Lloyd J. Richardson: December 1, 2014 – October 13, 2015

- MP Claret M.M. Connor: October 31, 2016 – November 24, 2016

- MP Sarah A. Wescot-Williams: October 10, 2014 – November 13, 2014, October 13, 2015 – October 31, 2016, November 24, 2016 – April 2, 2018,

and May 7, 2018 – September 22, 2019

- MP William V. Marlin: September 25, 2019 – February 10, 2020

- MP Rolando Brison: February 10, 2020 – November 4, 2021

- MP Grisha S. Heyliger-Marten – November 26, 2021 – October 27, 2022