New Suriname government not likely within 4 weeks

by Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent

Friday, May 27, 2005

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Analysts predict that it is unlikely that the new Suriname government will take office within a month. The final results of the Wednesday elections, a significant blow to the New Front (NF) coalition, will not be known for several days. 

The outgoing coalition is set to initiate the required procedures within three weeks but commentators said it could take more time. Caribbean Net News has been informed that, behind the scenes, an intensive lobbying campaign has started among the political parties. 

With 86 percent of the votes counted, preliminary results show the New Front won 23 seats, People’s Alliance for Prosperity (VVV) 6, National Democratic Party (NDP) 15, A1-Combination won 3 seats and newcomer A-Combination snagged 4 seats in parliament.

After the Independent Electoral Bureau (OKB) officially determines the result in an public meeting, the Central Polling Bureau (CHS) will designate which candidates are elected as parliamentarians. Seven members of parliament could then nominate candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency. It is the president who, in accordance with the Constitution, subsequently names his cabinet.

Political commentator Jack Mencke stressed that the outcome of the elections underlined the trend which was set in 1991 when the New Front won 40 parliamentary seats. This coalition nationwide dropped from 54 percent of the votes in 1991, to 49 percent in 1996 and 45 percent in 2000. “The New Front each time misjudged the results but still won most of the seats,” Mencke said. The traditional parties suffered from “erosion” he mentioned, mainly because of the large numbers of voters who went to the polls for the first time. 

Political analyst Derrick Ferrier stressed that the outcome signals the wish of the electorate to keep the New Front coalition in power, with the explicit order to expand the government base. That’s why no party got an absolute majority, the sociologist stressed.

Although his party came in with 4 seats in parliament, he had expected two more, said Caprino Alendy one of the three A-Combination leaders. He further noted that his organization is prepared to cooperate with any party to form the new government. “We are open and ready”, said the political leader. The 51 members of parliament will elect the next president with a 2/3 majority, but if they fail two do so in two sessions, the election goes to the United People’s Assembly. In that convention, parliament in a joint session with districts and regional councils will choose the president with a simple majority. 

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