Politics of Suriname
From Freepedia
Government
The Republic of Suriname is a constitutional democracy based on the 1987 constitution. The legislative branch of government consists of a 51-member unicameral National Assembly, simultaneously and popularly elected for a 5-year term. The last election was held in May 2000.
The executive branch is headed by the president, who is elected by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly or, failing that, 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. A vice president, normally elected at the same time as the president, needs a simple majority in the National Assembly or People's Assembly to be elected for a 5-year term. As head of government, the president appoints a cabinet of ministers. 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 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.
The country is divided into 10 administrative districts, each headed by a district commissioner appointed by the president. The commissioner is similar to the governor of a U.S. State but serves at the president's pleasure.
Country name:
conventional long form:
Republic of Suriname
conventional short form:
Suriname
local long form:
Republiek Suriname
local short form:
Suriname
former:
Netherlands Guiana
Data code: NS
Government type: constitutional democracy
Capital: Paramaribo
Administrative divisions: 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
Independence: 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
Constitution: ratified 30 September 1987
Legal system: based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Ronald Venetiaan (since september2000); Vice President Jules Adiodja september 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:
Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly
elections:
president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a constitutional majority vote in the National Assembly after two votes, by the larger People's Assembly (869 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held 25 May 2005
note:
election results:
Legislative branch:
Unicameral National Assembly or National Assemblee (51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:
last held 25 May 2005
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP of Dési Bouterse 15, Nieuw Front of Ronald Venetiaan 23, VVV of Jules Wijdenbosch 5, A-Combinatie of Ronnie Brunswijk 5, A1 of Winston Jessurun 3.
Judicial branch:
Court of Justice, justices nominated for life
Political parties and leaders:
See also List of political parties in Suriname
A1 Block consisting of Alternative Forum or AF (Winston Jessurun), Political Party of the Federation of Land Workers or PVF (Jiwan Sital);
National Democratic Party or NDP (Dési Bouterse);
A-Combinatie Block, consisting of Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP (Caprino Allendy) and General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP (Ronnie Brunswijk), and Seeka Seeka.
VVV Block (Popular Alliance for Advancement), consisting of Democratic National Party or DNP2000 (Jules Wijdenbosch), Basic Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD (Tjan Ghobardhan), Party for National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI (Willy Soemita);
Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union or PALU (Ir Jim Hok);
The New Front or NF Block, consisting of National Party of Suriname (Ronald Venetiaan), Suriname Labor Party or SPA (Siegfried Gilds), Pertjaja Luhur (Paul Somohardjo) and Progressive Reform Party or VHP (Ramnarain Sardjoe);
