Something is definitely wrong in the bosom of our political majority on the French side.
For those who do not know, on French St. Martin, as throughout the French Republic, local elections are cst for a list, not for a single person, as on Dutch St. Martin. We elect a list of 23 councilors who among themselves elect an executive council. There are usually two elections, unliss during the first election a clear majority is gained, (50% + .) If not, there is a runoff election at which time the side with the most votes wins.
This gives the local administration an automatic majority of 17-6. The council then elects a president, and several vice presidents. Portfolios are shared, etc.
Today we find ourselves with a so-called majority of 17 and an opposition of 6, one of which became independent. Now we are called to elect a senator, which is not done by popular vote, but by what the French call 'les grands élus' or those 23 members elected to the territorial council.
Any citizen can postulate and run for senator, but unless you are a member of the council you have no vote. And here we are with no less than 7 candidates for 1 seat, two of which have no voice, 1 of which is opposition and four from the majority. Why this split? Why was there not one candidate chosen from among the majority, thereby ensuring his/her victory as of the first round of elections. In a scenario such as the one we have, that is almost impossible. The opposition candidate is the only one who can be reasonably sure of going on to the runoff. That leaves 17 votes to be fought over by 4 candidates.. Again I ask why?
Is the majority in such disarray that they cannot among themselves chose one candidate? Or is France applying some sort of pressure so that they can get the candidate of their choice?
Food for thought.
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