Politics of Suriname

Suriname
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Suriname
Constitution

Politics of Suriname take place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the president of Suriname is the head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. The executive power is dependent on the parliament. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Executive branch

The executive branch is headed by the president, who is elected by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly or, failing that twice, by a majority of the People's Assembly for a 5-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. The Vice President, normally elected at the same time as the president, is elected for a 5-year term, the same way as the president.[1] As head of government, the president appoints a cabinet of ministers who are led in their day-to-day activities by the Vice President. There is no constitutional provision for removal or replacement of the president unless he resigns.

A 15-member State Advisory Council advises the president in the conduct of policy. Eleven of the 15 council seats are allotted by proportional representation of all political parties represented in the National Assembly. The president chairs the council, and two seats are allotted to representatives of labor, and two are to employers' organizations. The Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president.

Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
President Dési Bouterse NDP 12 August 2015
Vice President Michael Ashwin Adhin NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Soeresh Algoe NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Defense Ronnie Benschop NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Education, Science & Culture Robert Peneux NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Finance Gilmore Hoefdraad NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Foreign Affairs Niermala Badrising NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Public Health Patrick Pengel NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Home Affairs Mohamed Noersalim Group Sapoen/Chitan 12 August 2015
Minister of Justice & Police Jennifer van Dijk-Silos NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Labour Soewarto Moestadja NDP 4 September 2015
Minister of Natural Resources Regilio Dodson DOE 12 August 2015
Minister of Physical Planning, Land, and Forestry Management Steven Relyveld NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Public Works & Traffic Siegfried Wolff NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Regional Development Andre Dikan BEP 12 August 2015
Minister of Sport & Youth Affairs Faizal Abdoelgafoer NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Trade & Industry Sieglien Burleson NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Transport, Communication & Tourism Andojo Rusland NDP 12 August 2015
Minister of Welfare Joan Dogojo NDP 4 September 2015

Legislative branch

National Assembly of Suriname.

The legislative branch of government consists of a 51-member unicameral National Assembly, simultaneously and popularly elected for a 5-year term.

Political parties and elections

For other political parties, see List of political parties in Suriname. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Suriname.

Suriname elects on national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. The president is elected for a five-year term by an electoral college based on the parliament. The National Assembly (Nationale Assemblée) has 51 members, elected every five years by proportional representation per district.

 25 May 2010 Surinamese legislative election results
Parties and alliance Votes % Seats
Mega Combinatie 95,543 40.22 23
New Front for Democracy and Development 75,190 31.65 14
People's Alliance 30,844 12.98 6
Party for Democracy and Development through Unity 12,085 5.09 1
BVD/PVF 12,043 5.07 —
A Combinatie 11,176 4.70 7
Democratic Union Suriname 284 0.12 —
Permanent Prosperity Republic of Suriname 261 0.11 —
National Union 149 0.06 —
Total (turnout 73.21%) 237,575 100.00 51
Source: verkiezingen.gov.sr]

Judicial branch

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.

Administrative divisions

The country is divided into 10 administrative districts, each headed by a district commissioner appointed by the president. The commissioner serves at the president's pleasure. The 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt) are ; Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica

See also

References

  1. ↑ Constitution of Suriname, 1987 with reforms of 1992. See Article 83
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