2010 Surinamese general election

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2010 Surinamese general election
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←  2005 25 May 2010 2015  →
51 seats in the National Assembly
26 seats needed for a majority
PartyLeader%Seats+/–
Megacombinatie Dési Bouterse 40.2223New
NFDO Ronald Venetiaan 31.6514-9
VVV Jules Wijdenbosch 12.986+1
DOE 5.091New
AC 4.707+2
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Chairman of the National Assembly beforeChairman of the National Assembly after
Paul Somohardjo
Pertjajah Luhur 		Jennifer Simons
NDP

General elections were held in Suriname on 25 May 2010. [1]

Contents

Nine entities contested the election, including several coalitions. [2] Pre-election polls suggested a share of 41% of the vote going to the "Mega Combination" coalition that includes the National Democratic Party of former dictator Dési Bouterse. [3] [4] The ruling Nieuw Front (NF) had around 22.5% support. [3] There were 324,490 people registered to vote in the election which would determine the holders of 51 parliament seats, 116 regional positions and 752 municipal positions. [3] [5]

Results

Preliminary results issued on 26 May 2010 showed the Mega Combination winning a plurality of 23 seats, up from 15 in the last election. [4] [6] The New Front for Democracy and Development alliance of incumbent President Ronald Venetiaan (who had stated before the election that he would not seek another term) was said to have won 14 seats. [4] Venetiaan ruled out working together with the NDP as long as it was led by Bouterse. [4] In the upcoming indirect presidential election in July 2010, a two-thirds majority will be required to elect the next president. [7] Organisation of American States election observers reported a peaceful election with no irregularities. [4]

Bouterse had not stated if he will seek to return to the presidency. Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen said that the Dutch government would respect the will of the voters of Suriname, despite Bouterse having been sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Dutch court for drug dealing. [4] An Interpol arrest warrant has been issued for him, but Suriname does not extradite its citizens. [6]

PartyVotes%Seats
Megacombinatie 95,54340.2223
New Front for Democracy and Development 75,19031.6514
People's Alliance 30,84412.986
Democracy and Development through Unity 12,0855.091
BVD–PV FAL 12,0435.070
A-Combination 11,1764.707
Democratic Union Suriname2840.120
Permanent Prosperity Republic of Suriname2610.110
National Union1490.060
Total237,575100.0051
Registered voters/turnout324,490–
Source: IFES

Aftermath

The NDP successfully concluded a coalition deal with Bouterse's former opponents in the civil war, the A Combinatie, giving him a majority in parliament, but not the two-thirds majority required to elect the president. [8] Negotiations with the People's Alliance to attain the necessary supermajority reportedly failed after the People's Alliance raised excessive demands. [8]

The NDP fell out with the A Combinatie over the number of cabinet posts, however, and subsequently, the New Front (led by the National Party of Suriname) formed a coalition deal with the A Combinatie and the People's Alliance, giving them 27 seats in parliament, enough to form the government, but too few to elect the president. [9] It was seen as a possibility that Bouterse might be elected in the final round of the presidential election (when it goes to the People's Assembly, where the NDP has a majority. [10]

In a surprise development, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons from the NDP was elected Chairwoman of the House on 30 June 2010 with 26 to 24 votes, even though the anti-NDP parties had a majority in parliament. The NPS's Ruth Wijdenbosch was elected Vice Chairwoman with 25 to 24 votes. [11]

In the run-up to the presidential election on 19 July 2010, Bouterse convinced the A Combinatie to join forces with him, giving him a 30-seat majority; immediately before the election, he succeeded in getting the People's Alliance to join him, giving him the votes required to become president. [12]

Related Research Articles

The early history of Suriname dates from 3000 BCE when Native Americans first inhabited the area. The Dutch acquired Suriname from the English, and European settlement in any numbers dates from the 17th century, when it was a plantation colony utilizing slavery for sugar cultivation. With abolition in the late 19th century, planters sought labor from China, Madeira, India, and Indonesia, which was also colonized by the Dutch. Dutch is Suriname's official language. Owing to its diverse population, it has also developed a creole language, Sranan Tongo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dési Bouterse</span> Leader of Suriname (1980–1987, 2010–2020)

Desiré Delano "Dési" Bouterse is a Surinamese military officer, politician, convicted murderer and drug trafficker who served as President of Suriname from 2010 to 2020. From 1980 to 1987, he was Suriname's de facto leader after conducting a military coup and establishing a period of military rule. In 1987, Bouterse founded the National Democratic Party (NDP). On 25 May 2010, Bouterse's political alliance, the Megacombinatie, which included the NDP, won the parliamentary elections, and on 19 July 2010, Bouterse was elected as President of Suriname with 36 of 50 parliament votes. He was inaugurated on 12 August 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Venetiaan</span>

Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan is a former politician who served as the 6th President of Suriname.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Suriname</span> Head of state and head of government of Suriname

The president of the Republic of Suriname is, in accordance with the Constitution of 1987, the head of state and head of government of Suriname, and commander-in-chief of the Suriname National Army (SNL). The president also appoints a cabinet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Democratic Party (Suriname)</span> Political party in Suriname

The National Democratic Party is a political party in Suriname. It was founded on 4 July 1987 by Surinamese leader Dési Bouterse, and was one of the first parties in the country to have a stable base of support across different ethnic groups. In the 2015 general election the party scored 45.56% of the vote and 26 of 51 seats in parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Party of Suriname</span> Political party in Suriname

The National Party of Suriname is a social democratic political party in Suriname, founded in 1946, and since June 2012 led by Gregory Rusland. For a long time it was the largest ruling party in the country, and it has been in government for a total of over 40 years. Of the 16 general elections held in Suriname, the party or a coalition it was a leading part of finished in first place 11 times. The party tends to be more popular among Afro-Surinamese and multiracial people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brotherhood and Unity in Politics</span> Political party in Suriname

Brotherhood and Unity in Politics is a political party in Suriname founded on 29 April 1973.

The Progressive Workers' and Farmers' Union, widely known by its abbreviation PALU, is a leftist Surinamese political party founded on 12 March 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Democrats of the 21st Century</span> Political party in Suriname

Democrats of the 21st Century was a political party in Suriname from 2000 to 2010. The party originally broke away from the Party for National Unity and Solidarity, and eventually merged into the Pertjajah Luhur. Its leader was Soewarto Moestadja.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Assembly (Suriname)</span>

The National Assembly is the Parliament, representing the legislative branch of government in Suriname. It is a unicameral legislature. The assembly has been situated in the former park house at the Independence Square in Paramaribo, after a fire destroyed the old building of representation on 1 August 1996. A reconstruction of the old building was completed in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Surinamese general election</span>

General elections were held in Suriname on 25 May 2005. The governing New Front for Democracy and Development of president Ronald Venetiaan lost seats, remaining the largest party but failing to get a majority in the National Assembly of Suriname. Despite this Venetiaan was re-elected as president after obtaining sufficient support to win a majority in the election for president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Surinamese presidential election</span> Election of Dési Bouterse as President of Suriname

An indirect presidential election was held in Suriname on 19 July 2010 following the legislative election. If the National Assembly of Suriname twice fails to elect a new president with a two-thirds majority, the election will go to the People's Assembly of Suriname, composed of members of parliament, district and provincial councils, where a simple majority suffices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Simons</span>

Jennifer "Jenny" Simons, married Geerlings is a Surinamese politician. On 30 June 2010, she was elected as Chairperson of the National Assembly of Suriname with 26 out of 50 votes. Simons is the second female chairman of the Surinamese Parliament. She was re-elected on 30 June 2015. She announced her retirement on 20 June 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Surinamese coup d'état</span> Violent overthrow of government in Suriname

The 1980 Surinamese coup d'état, usually referred to as the Sergeants' Coup, was a military coup in Suriname which occurred on 25 February 1980, when a group of 16 sergeants of the Surinamese Armed Forces (SKM) led by Dési Bouterse overthrew the government of Prime Minister Henck Arron with a violent coup d'état. This marked the beginning of the military dictatorship that dominated the country from 1980 until 1991. The dictatorship featured the presence of an evening curfew, the lack of freedom of press, a ban on political parties, a restriction on the freedom of assembly, a high level of government corruption and the summary executions of political opponents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johan Kraag</span>

Johannes Samuel Petrus "Johan" Kraag was a Surinamese politician who served as the President of Suriname from 29 December 1990, until 16 September 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chan Santokhi</span> President of Suriname since 2020

Chandrikapersad "Chan" Santokhi is a Surinamese politician and former police officer who is the 9th president of Suriname, since 2020. After winning the 2020 elections, Santokhi was the sole nominee for president of Suriname. On 13 July, Santokhi was elected president by acclamation in an uncontested election. He was inaugurated on 16 July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashied Doekhi</span>

Mohamed Rashied Doekhi is a Surinamese politician and a former district commissioner of Nickerie. Because of his popularity in the western rice district, he is nicknamed the president of Nickerie. He was a member of the National Assembly of Suriname, between 2000 and 2020 on behalf of the National Democratic Party of Dési Bouterse.

The Megacombinatie was a political alliance in the 2010 Surinamese general election. The alliance was founded on 5 July 2008 and consisted of:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990 Surinamese coup d'état</span> Violent overthrow of government in Suriname

The 1990 Surinamese coup d'état, usually referred to as the Telephone Coup, was a military coup in Suriname on 24 December 1990. The coup was carried out by the acting commander-in-chief of the Suriname National Army (SNL), Police Chief Ivan Graanoogst. As a result of the coup, President Ramsewak Shankar was dismissed from power, and parliament and government were disbanded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Surinamese general election</span>

General elections were held in Suriname on 25 May 2020. The elections occurred concurrently with an economic crisis in Suriname, as well as the COVID-19 crisis.

References

  1. ↑ Maximiliano Herrera (21 April 2010). "Electoral Calendar-international elections world elections". Angelfire.com. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  2. ↑ McGowan, Mark (26 May 2010). "Bouterse coalition close to majority". Stabroek news. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "Ex-dictator on likely comeback trail in Suriname vote". Caribbean Net News. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Former dictator's party ahead in Suriname election". Associated Press. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  5. ↑ Election 2010 turnout per district
  6. 1 2 "Bouterse's past is not forgotten, despite election victory:Verhagen". DutchNews.nl. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  7. ↑ Kommentar posten. "Partei Ex-Diktator Bouterses gewinnt Parlamentswahl – Surinam – derStandard.at › International". Derstandard.at. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  8. 1 2 "Bouterse, Brunswijk conclude successful coalition talks". Stabroek News. 7 June 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  9. ↑ "Former Suriname dictator struggling to form new government". Caribbean Net News. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. ↑ [ dead link ]
  11. ↑ "Ex-dictator's ally to lead Suriname parliament – Taiwan News Online". Etaiwannews.com. Associated Press. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  12. ↑ "Former Suriname dictator looks to have secured presidency | Manila Bulletin". Mb.com.ph. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
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