On Sunday, lawmakers selected Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as Suriname’s inaugural female president, following her party’s victory in the May legislative elections.
The 71-year-old former opposition leader emerged as the only contender for the presidency after her political rivals opted not to put forward any candidates for the leadership of this small nation on South America’s northern coast.
Geerlings-Simons’ National Democratic Party (NDP) secured 18 out of the 51 seats in the National Assembly, surpassing the number of seats held by the centrist VHP party of outgoing president Chan Santokhi.
The NDP had previously formed a coalition with five other parties, collectively holding 34 seats in parliament, thereby achieving the two-thirds majority required to claim the presidency.
The NDP was originally established by former coup leader and autocrat-turned-elected-president Desi Bouterse, who passed away in hiding in December 2024.
During his authoritarian rule, Suriname was branded a narco-state, with Bouterse found guilty in the Netherlands for drug trafficking.
Santokhi’s party had aimed to create a coalition to maintain power but announced in a statement that it would not contest Geerlings-Simons’ election.
Geerlings-Simons expressed her acceptance of the role during a speech to lawmakers before the scheduled inauguration on July 16.
“I am acutely aware of the responsibility that now rests on our shoulders. This responsibility is heightened by the fact that I am, indeed, the first woman to hold this office,” Geerlings-Simons stated.
She further added, “I will utilize all my knowledge, strength, and insight to ensure our wealth benefits all citizens, particularly focusing on our youth and those who have not yet had the opportunities to grow.”
The former Dutch colony, home to 600,000 people, ranks among the poorest nations in South America and has experienced civil conflict and military coups since gaining independence in 1975.
The government is optimistic that recently discovered offshore oil reserves will lead to an oil boom, potentially providing the small nation, where 20 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, with significant revenue starting in 2028 when an offshore block begins production.
During her campaign, Geerlings-Simons, who previously served as the chairperson of the National Assembly, emphasized her desire “to be in power to ensure that the population truly benefits” from the anticipated oil revenues.
This would involve “establishing a law that mandates all companies to collaborate with Surinamese people and purchase Surinamese products.”
Suriname, a diverse nation composed of descendants from India, Indonesia, China, the Netherlands, Indigenous groups, and Africans brought as slaves, will celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence from the Dutch monarchy this November.
In recent years, the country has increasingly turned to China as a political ally and trading partner, becoming one of the first Latin American nations to join the Asian giant’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative in 2019.
— news from France 24
— News Original —
Suriname elects country’s first woman president amid economic crisis
Lawmakers elected Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as Suriname ‘s first woman president on Sunday, after her party won the most seats in legislative elections in May.
The 71-year-old former opposition leader was left the sole candidate for president after her rivals decided on Thursday not to nominate anyone to lead the small country on South America ‘s northern coast.
Geerlings-Simons ‘ National Democratic Party (NDP) won 18 of the 51 seats in the National Assembly, more than those of the centrist VHP party of outgoing president Chan Santokhi.
The NDP had already entered into an agreement with five other parties with which it jointly holds 34 seats in parliament — obtaining the two-thirds majority needed to claim the presidency.
The NDP was founded by former coup leader and autocrat-turned-elected-president Desi Bouterse, who died in hiding in December 2024.
Under his iron-fisted rule, Suriname was labeled a narco-state, with Bouterse convicted in the Netherlands for smuggling drugs.
Santokhi ‘s party had hoped to form a coalition to remain in power, but said in a statement that it had decided not to oppose Geerlings-Simons ‘ election.
Geerlings-Simons said she “accepted the position,” in a speech to lawmakers, ahead of an inauguration due July 16.
“I am acutely aware of the responsibility that now rests on our shoulders. This responsibility is made greater by the fact that I am, in fact, the first woman to hold this office,” Geerlings-Simons said.
“I will use all my knowledge, strength and insight to make our wealth available to all our fellow citizens, with special attention to our young people and those who have so far not had the opportunities to develop,” she added.
Oil-rich
The former Dutch colony of 600,000 inhabitants, one of the poorest countries in South America, has been wracked by a civil war and military coups since its independence in 1975.
The government is hoping that an oil boom will follow from recently discovered offshore oil reserves.
These could bring the tiny nation, where 20 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, an unprecedented windfall from 2028 — when an offshore block begins production.
During the campaign, Geerlings-Simons, former chairperson of the National Assembly, said she wanted “to be in power to ensure that the population really benefits” from the expected oil revenues.
This would involve “establishing a law that requires all companies to work with Surinamese people and buy Surinamese products.”
Suriname, a diverse country made up of descendants of people from India, Indonesia, China, the Netherlands, Indigenous groups and Africans made to work as slaves, marks its 50th anniversary of independence from the Dutch throne this November.
In recent years, it has looked increasingly toward China as a political ally and trading partner and, in 2019, became one of the first Latin American countries to join the Asian giant ‘s Belt and Road infrastructure drive.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)