Suriname chooses the first President: Historical step for women's rights

Suriname chooses the first President: Historical step for women's rights

Paramaribo, Suriname - The Suriname parliament elected Jennifer Simons as the first wife of the South American country on Sunday. The doctor and former parliamentary president is now at the head of a nation that is about to benefit from a predicted oil boomerang.

political situation in Suriname

Surinamic legislation supported Simons' presidency six weeks after the elections, in which the ruling party and the leading opposition were almost on par. This led to a coalition agreement to appoint Simons as the new president.

In the parliamentary election on May 25, the opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) won 18 seats, while the Progressive Reform Party (VHP) of the incumbent President Chan Santokhi won 17 seats. Smaller parties secured the remaining 16 seats.

indirect election of the president

In Suriname, the President is elected indirectly. After the general election, the members of the National Assembly vote on the President, whereby a candidate needs a two -thirds majority to win the office.

a promise of change

"I step into this office to serve and I will use all of my knowledge, my strength and my insight to make our wealth accessible to all of our people," said Simons, 71, in a brief speech after her appointment, which was rewarded with applause by the MPs.

Simons promised to pay particular attention to the youth and disadvantaged groups that have not yet had the best chances. "I am aware of the responsibility that is now on our shoulders, especially since I am the first woman who dresses this office," she added. "I don't need a lot of words. My thanks go to them and we will go to work."

Farewell to Chan Santokhi

The incumbent President Chan Santokhi, 66 years old and former police commissioner who was again running, was criticized for insufficient protective measures for the poorer and more vulnerable social groups.

After Simons was chosen, Santokhi congratulated her and took responsibility for his failures. He explained that he wanted to be remembered for his commitment and after the transfer of power as a member of the parliament.

oil boom in view of

Suriname, a former Dutch colony that has been independent since 1975, will probably experience an increase in income from the country's first large offshore energy project, an oil and gas project under the leadership of total energy.

The Gran Morgu project is scheduled to start production in 2028. The discovered reserves could enable Suriname with the neighbors Guyana, whose economy grew by 43.6% last year, to compete as important producers.

economic perspectives and coalition government

However, there was little discussion in the election campaign about what the next government, which will stay in power by 2030, should do with the income. Simons' choice was agreed in a six-party agreement two days after the parliamentary election, but was only officially confirmed with the vote on Sunday. Your inauguration is planned for July 16.

The Parliament stored Simons' choice by acclamation, together with the leader of the National Party of Suriname (NPS), Gregory Rusland, as its vice president. Simons was a parliamentary president for ten years and took second place behind the votes behind Santokhi, getting more than 41,700 votes. It is the head of the NDP, which was founded by former President Desi Bouterse, who dominated Surinames's politics for decades and died as a refugee last year.

inheritance of the former President Bouterse

DESI Bouterse left the office in 2020, one year after his conviction for the murder of 15 opponents of government in 1982. When the conviction was confirmed in 2023, Bouterse died and died at the age of 79 at an unknown place on Christmas Eve.