President of Suriname

Last updated

President of the Republic of Suriname
President van de Republiek Suriname
Flag of the President of Suriname.svg
Standard of the president of Suriname
Chandrikapersad Santokhi (cropped) v3.jpeg
Incumbent
Chan Santokhi
since 16 July 2020
Style Mr. President (Informal)
His Excellency (Diplomatic)
Status Head of state
Head of government
Residence Presidential Palace
Seat Paramaribo
Appointer National Assembly
Term length Five years, renewable indefinitely
Constituting instrument Constitution of Suriname
Precursor Governor-General
Inaugural holder Johan Ferrier
Formation25 November 1975
Deputy Vice President
Salary4,646,552 Surinamese dollars/133,560 USD annually [1] [2]
Website Cabinet of the President

The president of the Republic of Suriname (Dutch : President van de Republiek 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.

Contents

The current president is Chan Santokhi, a former chief of police. He is affiliated with the Progressive Reform Party (VHP). Santokhi was elected on 13 July 2020 as president by acclamation in an uncontested election, [3] and inaugurated on 16 July on the Onafhankelijkheidsplein in Paramaribo in a ceremony without the public presence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [4] [5]

History

The office of president was created upon independence from the Netherlands in 1975. Until 1987, the presidency was mostly a ceremonial post, discharging most of the functions previously vested in the monarchy of the Netherlands. For all intents and purposes, real power was vested in the prime minister.

The first officeholder was Johan Ferrier, a schoolteacher and veteran politician who had served as governor since 1968. He resigned as president in August 1980, several months after a coup d'état. From then until 1988, the presidents were essentially army-installed puppets of army commander Dési Bouterse, who ruled as a de facto military dictator with few practical checks on his power.

Bouterse allowed multiparty elections in 1987, shortly after the current constitution was approved in a referendum. The presidency became an executive post, with duties and responsibilities similar to those of presidents in semi-presidential republics. On 24 December 1990, two days after Bouterse's resignation as army commander, the army called president Ramsewak Shankar to inform him that he and his cabinet were removed from office, in another coup d'état; police chief and acting army commander Ivan Graanoogst was appointed acting president. On 27 December 1990, Johannes Kraag became the president. The army returned power to civilians in 1991, and the president has been freely elected ever since.

Election

The president and a vice president are elected by no less than a two-thirds supermajority of members in the National Assembly to a five-year mandate and are accountable to the Assembly. During their time in office, the president must forfeit any additional posts in politics or business.

Qualification

A candidate must be a Surinamese national (resident in the country for at least six years) who is at least 30 years of age. A candidate must win at least two-thirds of the votes in the Assembly to be elected. If no candidate wins two-thirds after three rounds, the vote then goes to the United People's Congress, composed of the Assembly and local government officials. In this case, a simple majority is required.

Powers and duties

The president is vested with extensive functional powers. The president names and dismisses ministers, signs bills, and names and dismisses diplomatic staff. He declares war and states of emergency with the ratification of the National Assembly. He concludes foreign treaties and agreements, again with the assent of the Assembly. He also exercises ceremonial duties such as conferring awards, receiving foreign diplomats, and granting pardons.

List of presidents

[6]

Political parties
   National Party of Suriname (NPS)
   Nationalist Republican Party (PNR)
   Progressive Reform Party (VHP)
   National Democratic Party (NDP)
   Independent
PresidentTerm of officePolitical party Vice president(s)
No.PortraitName
(Birth–Death)		Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1 Johan Ferrier 928-2995 (cropped).jpg Johan Ferrier
(1910–2010)		25 November 197513 August 1980
[lower-alpha 1] 		4 years, 262 days NPS Position not established
2 Henk Chin a Sen 934-1376 (cropped).jpg Henk Chin A Sen
(1934–1999)		15 August 1980 [9] 4 February 1982
[lower-alpha 2] 		1 year, 173 days PNR
3 L.F.Ramdat Misier (cropped).jpg Fred Ramdat Misier
(1926–2004)		8 February 198225 January 19885 years, 351 days Independent
4 No image.png Ramsewak Shankar
(born 1937)		25 January 198824 December 1990
[lower-alpha 3] 		2 years, 333 days VHP Henck Arron
(NPS)
5 Minister van Sociale Zaken van Suriname dhr Kraag voor besprekingen in Holland , Bestanddeelnr 915-4476 (cropped).jpg Johan Kraag
(1913–1996)		29 December 199016 September 1991261 days NPS Jules Wijdenbosch
(NDP)
6 Ronald Venetiaan.jpg Ronald Venetiaan
(born 1936)		16 September 199115 September 19964 years, 365 days NPS Jules Ajodhia
(VHP)
7 JulesWijdenbosch2017.jpg Jules Wijdenbosch
(born 1941)		15 September 199612 August 20003 years, 332 days NDP Pretaap Radhakishun
(BVD)
(6) Ronald Venetiaan.jpg Ronald Venetiaan
(born 1936)		12 August 200012 August 201010 years NPS Jules Ajodhia
(VHP)
Ramdien Sardjoe
(VHP)
8 Dezi Bauterse.jpg Dési Bouterse
(born 1945)		12 August 201016 July 20209 years, 339 days NDP Robert Ameerali
(ABOP)
Ashwin Adhin
(NDP)
9 Chandrikapersad Santokhi (cropped) v3.jpeg Chan Santokhi
(born 1959)		16 July 2020Incumbent3 years, 237 days
(as of 9 March 2024)		 VHP Ronnie Brunswijk
(ABOP)

Timeline

Chan SantokhiDési BouterseJules WijdenboschRonald VenetiaanJohan KraagRamsewak ShankarFred Ramdat MisierHenk Chin A SenJohan FerrierPresident of Suriname

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Forced to resign by Bouterse in the aftermath of the Sergeants' Coup. [7] [8]
  2. ↑ Dismissed by Bouterse. [10] [11]
  3. ↑ Deposed in the Telephone Coup. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dési Bouterse</span> 8th President of Suriname

Desiré Delano 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">Henck Arron</span> First Suriname Prime Minister (1936–2000)

Henck Alphonsus Eugène Arron was a Surinamese politician who served as the first Prime Minister of Suriname after it gained independence in 1975. A member of the National Party of Suriname, he served from 24 December 1973 with the transition government, to 25 February 1980. He was overthrown in a coup d'état by the military, led by Dési Bouterse. Released in 1981 after charges of corruption were dropped, he returned to banking, his previous career. In 1987, Arron was elected as Vice President of Suriname and served until another coup in 1990 overthrew the government.

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

The Progressive Reform Party, is a political party in Suriname. It was originally founded in January 1949 as a merger of three parties to represent the Indo-Surinamese community. The party occupies a position straddling the political centre and centre-left, advocating for a combination of social-democratic and social-liberal policies under the Third Way philosophy. During the party's history it frequently allied itself with the National Party of Suriname (NPS) that historically represented the Afro-Surinamese community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Somohardjo</span> Surinamese politician

Paul Slamet Somohardjo is a Surinamese politician of Javanese descent. Somohardjo has been called Paul Salam Somohardjo since childhood. Somohardjo also owns a radio and television station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramsewak Shankar</span> 4th President of Suriname

Ramsewak Shankar is a Surinamese politician who was the 4th President of Suriname, serving from 1988 to 1990. His government was overthrown by Dési Bouterse leading a bloodless military coup. Shankar had previously served as Agriculture & Fisheries Minister from 1969 to 1971.

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

The vice president of Suriname is the second-highest political position in Suriname, after the president. The president and the vice president are elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jules Sedney</span> Surinamese politician (1922–2020)

Jules Sedney was a Surinamese politician, and Prime Minister of Suriname from 20 November 1969 to 24 December 1973. In 1980, he became governor of the Central Bank of Suriname, but had to flee the country in 1983 after a dispute with Dési Bouterse. Sedney returned to Suriname in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Surinamese coup d'état</span> Military coup led by Dési Bouterse

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">Ronnie Brunswijk</span> Surinamese politician and former rebel (born 1961)

Ronnie Brunswijk is a Surinamese politician, businessman, former rebel leader, footballer and convicted drug trafficker, who is serving as the current Vice President of Suriname.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honorary Order of the Yellow Star</span> Surinamese order

The Honorary Order of the Yellow Star is the highest state decoration of the Republic of Suriname. The Order was instituted in 1975 at the independence of Suriname and replaced the Dutch Order of the Netherlands Lion. It is awarded to individuals for their meritorious service to the Surinamese people or nation. Foreigners are also eligible to receive the order. The president of Suriname is the Grand Master of the order.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johan Kraag</span> 5th President of Suriname

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> 9th President of Suriname

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">Netherlands–Suriname relations</span> Bilateral relations

Netherlands–Suriname relations refers to the current and historical relations between the Netherlands and Suriname. Both nations share historic ties and a common language (Dutch) and are members of the Dutch Language Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashwin Adhin</span> Surinamese politician

Michael Ashwin Satyandre Adhin is a Surinamese educator, politician, and was the Vice President of Suriname between 2015 and 2020. He is a member of the National Democratic Party. At the age of 35, he became the youngest vice president in the history of Suriname to lead the Council of Ministers. Adhin is a Hindu of Indian descent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surendre Rambocus</span> Surinamese serviceman

Surendre Sradhanand "Soerinder" Rambocus was a Surinamese serviceman. For a short period, he was the highest-ranking officer of the Suriname National Army. He was involved in the unsuccessful coup d'état of March 1982 against the then dictator of Suriname, Dési Bouterse, and was executed on 8 December 1982 as one of the December murders.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dew Sharman</span> Surinamese doctor and politician

Dewanchandrebhose Sharman is a Surinamese doctor and politician. He is a member of the National Assembly for the Progressive Reform Party (VHP). In 2015, he was first elected to the National Assembly by preferential votes. In 2020, Sharman was elected Vice Chairman of the National Assembly in an uncontested election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commander of the Armed Forces (Suriname)</span> Head of the armed forces of Suriname

The Commander of the Armed Forces is the professional head of the National Army, the military of the Republic of Suriname. The position dates back to the country's independence from the Netherlands in 1975, with the military being named the Surinamese Armed Forces until after the Sergeants' Coup in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soerjani Mingoen-Karijomenawi</span> Surinamese politician

Soerjani Mingoen is a Surinamese politician. She has been a member of the National Assembly since 2020, representing Commewijne District for the Progressive Reform Party (VHP).

References

  1. ↑ "Starnieuws – Salaris alle ministers is ruim SRD 15.000 netto". starnieuws.com.
  2. ↑ BFMTV. "Qui sont les chefs d'État les mieux rémunérés au monde?". BFMTV.
  3. ↑ "Live blog: Verkiezing president en vicepresident Suriname". De Ware Tijd (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  4. ↑ "Inauguratie nieuwe president van Suriname op Onafhankelijkheidsplein". Waterkant (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  5. ↑ "Live blog: Inauguratie president en vicepresident". De Ware Tijd (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  6. ↑ "Kabinet van de President - Historie". Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  7. ↑ "Suriname President Ousted in Army-Backed Coup; U.S. Says Capital Is Calm". The New York Times. 15 August 1980. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  8. ↑ De Vries, Paul (15 August 1980). "President Afgezet". Limburgs Dagblad (in Dutch). p. 1 – via Delpher.
  9. ↑ "Chin A Sen is nu de dubbele leider". Limburgs Dagblad (in Dutch). 14 August 1980 – via Delpher.nl.
  10. ↑ "AROUND THE WORLD; Military in Suriname Takes Over Government". The New York Times. 6 February 1982. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  11. ↑ "Chin A Sen onder druk afgetreden". Reformatorisch Dagblad via Digibron (in Dutch). 5 February 1982. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  12. ↑ Howard W. French (27 December 1990). "Suriname Coup Leaders Had Power Already". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.