Politics of Suriname
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Suriname |
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Politics of Suriname takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the president of Suriname is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. The executive power is dependend 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.
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Dési Bouterse | National Democratic Party | 12 August 2010 |
| Vice President | Robert Ameerali | General Liberation and Development Party (Algemene Bevrijdings- en Ontwikkelingspartij, ABOP) | 12 August 2010 |
The Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president.
Legislative branch
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
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.
| 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
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