An interesting phenomenon has taken root in the Caribbean Community nation of Suriname, as six political parties of varying and even contrary political ideologies have come together to shut out the main player in a multiparty coalition which had run the country for the past five years.
On May 25, general elections were held in the Dutch-speaking republic and despite allegations of attempted rigging and some administrative missteps, the Hindustani-dominated VHP party quickly found itself in opposition as the six others that won parliamentary seats came together to confine it to the opposition benches — perhaps until the next elections cycle.
Interestingly, three of the six comprising the Creole-dominated National Party of Suriname (NPS); ABOP, largely supported by Maroons; and Pertjajah Luhur (PL) supported by Surinamese of Javanese extraction, were originally in the VHP-led coalition. This time, however, they chose to turn their backs on the party, citing issues like runaway corruption, nepotism through the sharing of the national pie mostly among friends and family, and economic hardships caused by a tough IMF austerity program that had been designed to correct serious economic abnormalities from the previous government.
Together, the six, led by the multiracial National Democratic Party (NDP), founded in the late ‘80s by ex-military strongman and two-time coup maker Desi Bouterse, can now muster a two-thirds majority, or 34 of the 51 seats, to directly elect NDP Chairperson Jennifer Simons as the country’s first female president. If and when this occurs, the former assembly speaker will be the fourth female head of government in the extended Caricom bloc that includes its associate members like Anguilla. Earlier this year, the tourism-dependent British colony had elected its first female head of government via attorney Cora Richardson-Hodge. Trinidad and Barbados also have female prime ministers. These four, with a new Surinamese president, will work along with a slew of female governors spread across the region, making for a historic period for woman power in Caricom.
As preparations for the change of government are stepped up, voters are reminding themselves about what was at stake on May 25 in Suriname because of the prospects of a mighty annual bounty of revenues from oil and gas production. Production is scheduled to commence in 2028 and none of the six wanted the VHP to be in charge, as leaders had made it clear on the campaign trail judging from its political approach in the past five years.
“The Almighty has arranged it in such a way that 34 seats are on one side,” said ABOP leader and outgoing Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, who has been allocated as the parliamentary vice speaker. “We are going for the development of our beloved Suriname. The only thing that is important is that the country of Suriname must move forward. Wherever I go, I will support,” he vowed. “This coalition will also last five years. And I am happy that Suriname can finally be led by a woman. Mrs. Simons has my full support. I am not going anywhere.”
As the situation stands, the VHP, with 17 of the 51 seats compared to 18 of the NDP, now finds itself alone on the opposition benches, but several party leaders have said that outgoing President Chan Santokhi had reached out to them and had made offers to remain in power, even offering the presidency to a political rival. “No” was the answer as the six walked into the arms of the current grouping. All six have also held party conventions this weekend to secure mandates to join the coalition.
Parliamentary sittings to elect the president will be held in the coming days, even as campaigning in neighboring Guyana is being stepped up ahead of general elections on September 1. Authorities announced the date a week ago. Other elections expected this year include Jamaica by the last quarter and St. Vincent to go along with others held so far in Trinidad, Cayman Islands, Belize, Curaçao, Trinidad, and Suriname.