Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: The outgoing New Front (NF) coalition signed a declaration of intent Wednesday to form a new coalition government with political newcomer A-Combination (AC). New Front secured 23 of the 51 seats in parliament and AC won five.
The document signed by the 7 leaders of both
groups stated that both sides consider the combined 28 seats "a workable
majority" and that together they will also explore possibilities to expand the
coalition. "The New Front and A-Combination has taken notice of each others
manifesto and after examination of the intended policies have come to the
conclusion that there is a basis for cooperation to form a government for the
2005-2010 term," read the declaration.
At the signing ceremony the political leaders noted that there was mutual
respect and trust in signing the declaration, which is the foundation for
further cooperation.
AC chairman Caprino Alendy stressed that the signing is a signal to the Surinamese people that both sides are determined to present a new government within a short period of time, while fellow AC politician Ronnie Brunswijk noted that his party will do anything for the new coalition to succeed.
Brunswijk, now elected to parliament, is the
former leader of the Jungle Commando, a rebel group which was engaged in a
brutal war with the government in the late 80s and early 90s.
Although the new coalition was the most likely one, some criticize New Front’s
move to A-Combination since one of its leaders, former rebel leader Brunswijk,
was convicted on drug charges by a Dutch court and Interpol subsequently
issued an international warrant against him.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony New Front leader and outgoing president Ronald Venetiaan said that the new president should take that into account when appointing his cabinet ministers. Commenting on questions by journalists Venetiaan further said that, because of its background, Suriname’s largest party, NDP, was not the first choice to start coalition talks with.
The National Democratic Party (NDP) is the
brainchild of former dictator Desi Bouterse, who seized power in February 1980
in a successful military coup. The NDP, as an independent party in the general
elections held last week, secured 15 seats in the legislature. Bouterse who
was also convicted on drug charges by a court in the Netherlands, like
Brunswijk was elected to parliament. For the former army commander it is his
second term in office.
Coalition talks in Suriname can last for weeks. Also the constitutional
process to determine the final results of the elections and inauguration of
the new parliament, districts and regional councils takes a couple of weeks.
The president is then elected in parliament with a 2/3 majority or eventually
with a simple majority in a joint session of parliament, districts and
regional councils, the People’s Assembly.
After the May 2000 elections the new president assumed office in September.
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