Suriname Parliament Elects Jennifer Simons as First Woman President

Suriname's Parliament has elected former Speaker of the Parliament, Dr Jennifer Simons, as the new President of the country.  Dr Jennifer Simons is the first woman to be elected as the president of the South American country.

Her coalition partner and leader of the National Party of Suriname, Gregory Rusland, was elected as the Vice-President of the country. Jennifer Simons will succeed the incumbent President Chan Santokhi and will be sworn in as the President of Suriname on 16 July 2025.

Jennifer Simons has been elected for a term of five years (2025-2030).

Election of the President of Suriname  

According to the 1987 constitution, the President and Vice-President of the country are indirectly elected. They are elected by the members of the Parliament of Suriname.

Suriname’s Parliament has a unicameral legislature - the National Assembly.

The 51 members of the National Assembly are directly elected by the people.

In the recently held Parliamentary election, the National Democratic Party of Jennifer Simons won 18 seats while the incumbent President Chan Santokhi’s Progressive Reform Party won 17 seats. 16 seats were won by smaller parties.

In the Presidential election, 71-year-old Jennifer Simons contested against the incumbent President Chan Santokhi. 

A candidate needs at least three-fourths votes of the total members of the National Assembly to be elected as the President of the country.

Jennifer Simone, who led a six-party coalition, won the required votes to be elected as the first woman President of Suriname.

About Suriname 

Suriname is a small country that is situated on the northern coast of the South American continent along the Atlantic Ocean.

It was earlier known as Dutch Guiana and was ruled by the Netherlands.

It gained independence in November 1975.

Around 27.5 % of its population is of Indian origin.

Suriname is one of the largest producers of Bauxite in the world.

It is expected to become a major oil producer after the commencement of the Gran Morgu project in the Guyana-Suriname Basin.

The production of oil from the  Grand Morgue project is expected to start in 2028, and it is expected to boost the country’s economy.

Capital: Paramaribo 

Currency: Suriname Dollar

Language: Dutch