Political Structure of Saint Martin
Saint Martin is unique in that the island is divided into two nations:
- Saint-Martin (North) – an overseas collectivity of France
- Sint Maarten (South) – a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands
1. Saint-Martin (French Side)
Status: Collectivité d’outre-mer (Overseas Collectivity of France) since 2007
Capital: Marigot
Government Structure:
| Branch | Description |
|---|---|
| Executive | Led by a President of the Territorial Council (currently Louis Mussington) |
| Legislative | Territorial Council (23 members elected by the people) |
| Judicial | Follows the French legal system, overseen by French courts |
Oversight:
- France manages defense, foreign affairs, currency, immigration, and justice.
- Local authorities manage education, infrastructure, tourism, and public services.
2. Sint Maarten (Dutch Side)
Status: Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 2010
Capital: Philipsburg
Government Structure:
| Branch | Description |
|---|---|
| Executive | Led by a Prime Minister (currently Luc Mercelina, as of 2024) and a Governor (appointed by the Dutch monarch) |
| Legislative | Parliament of Sint Maarten (15 elected members) |
| Judicial | Based on Dutch law, with its own courts under the Kingdom’s Supreme Court in The Hague |
Oversight:
- The Netherlands handles defense, foreign policy, citizenship, and some financial supervision.
- Sint Maarten manages its own internal affairs, including taxation, education, and tourism.
Cooperation Between the Two Sides
Although politically divided:
- People and goods can move freely across the border.
- Both sides collaborate on health, disaster response, and security.
