[Home] [About Suriname] [EUOU Suriname] [Electoral information]
 On this page:
On following pages:
|
Background
The Republic of Suriname is a constitutional democracy based on the 1987 constitution. The legislative branch of government consists of a 51-member unicameral National Assembly, simultaneously and popularly elected for a five-year term. The last election was held in May 1996. The executive branch is headed by the president, who is elected by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly or, failing that, by a majority of the People's Assembly, for a five-year term. If at least two-thirds of the National Assembly cannot agree to vote for one presidential candidate, a People's Assembly is formed from all National Assembly delegates and regional and municipal representatives who were elected by popular vote in the most recent national election. A vice president, normally elected at the same time as the president, needs a simple majority in the National Assembly or People's Assembly to be elected for a five-year term. As head of government, the president appoints a 16-minister cabinet. There is no constitutional provision for removal or replacement of the president unless he resigns. A 14-member State Advisory Council advises the president in the conduct of policy. Eleven of the 14 council seats are allotted by proportional representation of all political parties represented in the National Assembly. The vice president chairs the council, and three representatives of workers and employers organizations hold the rest of the seats. The judiciary is headed by the Court of Justice (Supreme Court). This court supervises the magistrate courts. Members are appointed for life by the president in consultation with the National Assembly, the State Advisory Council, and the National Order of Private Attorneys. The country is divided into 11 administrative districts, each headed by a district commissioner appointed by the president. The commissioner is similar to the governor of a U.S. state but serves at the president's discretion. National Security Surinamese armed forces consist of the national army
under the control of the Minister of Defense and a smaller civil police
force, which is responsible to the Minister of Justice and Police. The
national armed forces comprise some 2,500 personnel, the majority of whom
are deployed as light infantry security forces. A small air force and navy/coast
guard also exist. The Netherlands has provided limited military assistance
to the Surinamese armed forces since the election of a democratic government
in 1991. In recent years, the U.S. has provided training to military officers
and policy-makers to promote better understanding of the role of the military
in a civilian government.
Political
system
Suriname is a democracy governed by a president, assisted by a vice president and cabinet ministers. The National Assembly (parliament) is the highest authority in the land. There is an independent court system that now has a significant shortage of judges. As at February 2000 there were eleven political groups in the National Assembly, two of which are coalitions of smaller parties, plus a number of Independent members. Many parties are formulated along ethnic lines. The governing coalition has four parties: The National Democratic Party (NDP) which is a largely Creole, nationalistic party of the former military strongman, Desi Bouterse; KTPI, a Javanese, pro-agriculture party; two small, single-seat parties: Democratic Alternative, Pendawa Lima and an Independent. The coalition holds 24 seats in the 51 seat National Assembly. The registration of several new parties and the split of the NDP into two factions has considerably altered the political scene for the May 2000 elections. The President, Jules Wijdenbosch, belongs to the DNP 2000. The Wijdenbosch government is currently attempting to strengthen the office of the President within the constitutional framework. Former military strongman Bouterse is the chairman of the NDP and served until mid 1999. The Wijdenbosch Government has expressed a strong desire to strengthen US, EU and regional bilateral and multilateral relations. Suriname's previous government moved effectively to establish civilian
control of the military. Efforts are now underway to improve military training,
living standards, and to decrease the over-strength officer's corps. Limited
military cooperation with the United States has been restored, and the
US has sponsored a number of military programs, such as human rights seminars,
malaria spraying, and donation of excess medical supplies. In early 1996
the National Assembly passed a law which outlined the legal position and
duties of the military.
(1) National Army Commander. Bouterse was de facto country leader to
25 Jan 1988 as Chairman of the National Military Council.
Principal
Government members
Vice President: Pretaapnarian Radhakishun Cabinet of Ministers (appointed by the President) Prime Minister Pretaapnarian Radhakishun (9/15/1996): elected by the National Assembly; 5 year term; also the vice president. Present Ministers
Who's Who in Suriname Politics Website provided by parbo.com Evolution of the political parties
|
