Presidential elections in Suriname

The combination won 23 of the 51 available seats in Parliament. This was not enough to form the majority to govern so the teamed up with the political combination A combination which represents the maroon population in Suriname with 7 seats. On this day, July 19th 2010 presidential elections were held in the House of parliament whereby the leader of the MC won the presidential election with 36 votes against 13 votes for the candidate of the opposition. History was made because it was the second time since 1987 that a president was chosen in the first round by members of parliament. The new elected president, surprisingly to some, is Mr. Desi Delano Bouterse, who headed the military revolution in the 80’s in Suriname.

Leave the past behind

Despite critics from some national and international governments and political leaders, the newly elected president enjoys support of a great majority of the Suriname population. He is respected for his charisma and no-nonsense mentality. His eyes brimming with tears, Bouterse thanked supporters outside parliament after he secured 36 votes in support of his presidency. “I reach out my hand to everyone who feels that they are adversaries and ask them to leave the past behind so we can build this country together,” Bouterse told the cheering, flag-waving crowd. (CMGT) Suriname’s president is not chosen directly by voters, but by legislators. A two-thirds majority in the 51-seat parliament is required to elect the president of Suriname, where the official language is Dutch but most people speak Sranan. 

Conviction

Bouterse is facing a long-delayed trial in Suriname for his role the suspected execution of  15 political opponents during his regime in 1982, and some see his candidacy for president as an effort to halt the trial and push for immunity from prosecution. In 1999 a Dutch court convicted him in absentia of trafficking cocaine to the Netherlands, but he has avoided an 11-year prison term because the two countries do not have an extradition treaty.

I support Mr. Bouterse

Personally I was in favor of Mr. Bouterse candidacy because of his charisma towards the general public, his linkages with poor people. The majority of the poor and middle class could relate to his vision regarding unity in our country. Most important of all I supported because our political system needs a drastic change. The much older party leaders had a good economic policy and indeed worked on some political rest, but contrary to this they did not succeed in uniting the people of Suriname through the 20+ years governing. The NDP, which Bouterse leads, is the only multi ethnic party in Suriname. Citizens need inspiration of their leaders, especially when they forgive them of their wrong doing in the past.

Suriname and the Netherlands

On the international front I believe that its every (political) leaders choice to choose whom or which country he wants to collaborate with.  Suriname and the Netherlands share a great bond regarding development cooperation. There was and still is much critic about the election of this national hero, however many people in Suriname are looking towards the future relationship of these two countries. Many persons have speculated which position the new Dutch government would take when dealing with Suriname.

Therefore I ask these questions in search of answers.  Should the (political) leaders of the Netherlands respect the decision of the Surinamese people regarding their president or not? How should the Netherlands continue development relations with Suriname? Bouterse said: “ this is our country and we, the people should build up together”.  What result does the outcome of the election have on development cooperation between Suriname and the Netherlands.

Sources :
www.dutchnews.nl
(CMGT) http://crimewatch.gaeatimes.com
www.dwtonline.com