Former dictator calls for direct presidential elections in Suriname
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| Published on Friday, October 16, 2009 |
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By Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com
PARAMARIBO, Suriname -- Desi Bouterse, Suriname’s former military strongman and leader of the main opposition party NDP, called for far-reaching changes in the country’s political system and judicial structure. At a political rally celebrating his 64th birthday on Tuesday, the former army commander and government leader said that if his party wins next year’s general elections “fundamental changes” will be implemented.
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| Desi Bouterse |
According to Bouterse, who currently is standing trial for murder, these changes are necessary for Suriname to obtain the position it deserves. Among other things, the politician noted that restructuring of the judiciary, rearrangement of the districts and direct election of the president by the people are imperative to advance Suriname’s development.
He also argued that there should be a clear definition and description of the duties and responsibilities of the president and vice-president, while procedures and regulations should be put in place how a president or vice-president could be dismissed. Currently there are no clear procedures and directions how these government officials could be dismissed before the end of their terms in office.
While over the years large sections of the Surinamese population have argued for direct presidential elections, Bouterse’s call is being considered as opportunistic. For several years opinion polls indicated that the former dictator is the most popular politician in Suriname. In a system of direct presidential elections he would likely be the winner, but in Suriname’s multi-stage elections the path to the presidency is very difficult.
During general elections a new parliament and municipal councils are elected and subsequently the new president is elected in parliament after at least seven legislators present a candidate. If after two sessions in parliament no candidate is elected with a two-third majority, the voting moves to the United People’s Assembly, formed by parliament and the municipal councils. In this setting the Head of State is elected with a simple majority.
Bouterse is currently standing trial for the murder of 15 political opponents of his military regime in December 1982. The former army commander is the main suspect, with over 24 co-defendants. Prosecutors claim that Bouterse instigated the plot to round up the victims who were tortured and subsequently executed in the then military headquarter Fort Zeelandia in Paramaribo. Witnesses claim that the former leader shot at least one of the victims, union leader Cyrill Daal.
The trial, which started in November 2007, is to resume on October 29. Since the murders in 1982 Bouterse vehemently denied any direct involvement in the extra-judicial killings but claimed political responsibility. In 2007 he publicly offered apologies to the family of the victims. If convicted he could be jailed for over 20 years. | | | | Reads : 685 | | | |
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