Coalition talks begin in Suriname
by Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Monday, May 30, 2005
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Three days after the
general elections in Suriname, political parties commenced cautious talks to
form a new coalition government.
Preliminary results indicate that the
incumbent New Front (NF) coalition won 23 seats, three seats short of passing
laws on its own, and 11 seats short of electing the new president and
vice-president in parliament. The NF coalition is comprised of four parties,
NPS (8), VHP (8), SPA (1) and PL (6 seats).
On Saturday, political newcomer A-Combination (5 seats) was invited to discuss
a possible cooperation in a new coalition government.
NF-leader, incumbent president Ronald
Venetiaan, said to reporters that both sides will put out feelers to find
common ground for a possible cooperation, while Siegfried Gilds (SPA) said, it
is necessary to talk with all parties to find ways to come up with ideas how
to govern in the best interest of the country and its people.
Over the weekend, parties examined each others manifestos and on Monday
delegates will discuss the basis for further negotiations. If on Monday both
sides are satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, party leaders from both
sides will meet on Tuesday to start serious negotiations.
There is no indication that there were contacts between New Front and
political adversary NDP from former dictator Desi Bouterse. During the
campaign the New Front vowed it would not cooperate with the NDP to form a
coalition. As an independent party in the May 25 elections, NDP was the
strongest, securing 15 seats in parliament.
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