Jennifer Simons has been elected as Suriname’s first female President, marking a significant moment for the South American nation. Her election by the National Assembly comes six weeks after a closely contested parliamentary vote on May 25th.
Simons’ opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) secured 18 seats, narrowly surpassing incumbent President Chan Santokhi’s Progressive Reform Party, which won 17. The remaining 16 seats were claimed by smaller parties. In Suriname’s indirect presidential election system, candidates require a two-thirds majority from the National Assembly to win.
Upon accepting the prestigious office, the 71-year-old Simons vowed to serve all Surinamese citizens, with a particular focus on the nation’s youth and marginalized communities. “I come into this office to serve, and I will use all my knowledge, strength, and insight to make our wealth available to all of our people,” she stated. She acknowledged the weighty responsibility, noting, “a responsibility compounded for me by the fact that I am the first woman to hold this office.”
Outgoing President Santokhi, 66, who had faced criticism regarding his administration’s support for poorer communities, extended his congratulations to Simons. He accepted accountability for his government’s shortcomings and confirmed his intention to continue serving in parliament.
Suriname, a former Dutch colony that gained independence in 1975, is on the cusp of a major economic transformation. The nation is set to benefit from its inaugural significant offshore oil and gas development, spearheaded by TotalEnergies. The Gran Morgu project, anticipated to begin production in 2028, has the potential to position Suriname as a formidable oil producer, akin to its neighbor, Guyana, which experienced over 43% economic growth last year.
Interestingly, the recent election campaign largely overlooked detailed discussions on how Suriname plans to manage this impending oil windfall. Simons’ path to the presidency was solidified through a six-party coalition agreement formed shortly after the parliamentary vote. Her official inauguration is scheduled for July 16th.
Parliament confirmed Simons’ election through acclamation, also naming National Party of Suriname leader Gregory Rusland as her Vice President.
Simons brings extensive political experience to the role, having served as parliamentary speaker for a decade until 2020. She leads the NDP, a party founded by former President Desi Bouterse, a long-dominant figure in Surinamese politics who passed away last year while evading arrest. Bouterse left office in 2020, a year after being convicted for the 1982 killings of 15 government critics. After his conviction was upheld in 2023, he went into hiding and died at 79 on Christmas Eve at an undisclosed location.
