(Daily Herald) ST. EUSTATIUS–Despite massive delays in vote-counting, Progressive Labour Party (PLP) is the big winner in St. Eustatius’ first Island Council election since the Dutch government took over the island administration in February 2018, netting a total of 815 votes based on the preliminary results.
Headed by new leader Rechelline Leerdam, who took over from long-time party head Clyde van Putten in July, PLP will get three out of the five seats in the Island Council, based on the preliminary results.
This would see the party return to government. When the Dutch side-lined the local government in early 2018 – citing a culture of intimidation, neglect, discrimination, threats and insults, as well as the pursuit of power for personal gain – PLP was in a coalition with then-independent Island Council Member Reuben Merkman.
Merkman ran on PLP’s slate in yesterday’s election.
Democratic Party (DP) of St. Eustatius netted a total of 647 votes based on the preliminary results, giving the party two seats in the new Island Council.
United People’s Coalition (UPC) garnered some 124 votes, falling short of an Island Council seat.
