Suriname in South America, Aspiring Oil Power, Elects First Female President Simmons

First Female President Elected Since 1975 Independence from the Netherlands
Elected as Sole Candidate...Inauguration Scheduled for July 16

For the first time in 50 years since its independence in 1975, Suriname in South America has elected a female president.

Yenifer Hearings Simmons Suriname President-Elect. Suriname National Assembly Website

On July 6 (local time), the Surinamese National Assembly held a special plenary session at the parliament building in Paramaribo, the capital, and elected Yenifer Hearings Simmons, 71, leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), as the next president for a five-year term.

According to the local media outlet Times of Suriname, this is the first time Suriname has had a female president since gaining independence from the Netherlands in 1975.

Suriname elects its president through an indirect parliamentary system. A candidate must secure the support of at least two-thirds (34 members) of the 51 members of parliament to become president. President-elect Simmons received the backing of 34 members.

The National Democratic Party, led by President-elect Simmons, regained its position as the largest party in parliament by winning 18 seats in the proportional representation election held last May. This restored the status it had lost five years ago to the center-left Progressive Reform Party (VHP). The NDP secured a total of 34 seats by forming a coalition government with five other parties represented in the National Assembly.

The Progressive Reform Party, which won only 17 seats, did not nominate a presidential candidate at all, making Simmons the sole candidate and the clear favorite for the presidency.

On the day of her election, Simmons stated, "I will serve as a president representing all the people," and added, "I will mobilize all my knowledge and abilities to ensure that all citizens can benefit from our nation's assets." She also emphasized cooperation, saying, "The contributions of all parties and members of parliament will certainly have an impact."

According to the Surinamese National Assembly, Simmons, a former physician, entered politics as a member of parliament in 1996 and was re-elected in every general election through 2025. She served as Speaker of the Surinamese National Assembly for ten years from 2010 to 2020, marking the second time a woman has held this position.

Suriname has a territory of 163,000 square kilometers?about 1.6 times the size of South Korea (102,010 square kilometers)?with approximately 90% covered by tropical rainforest, but its population is only 600,000. Once considered the poorest country in South America, Suriname reached a turning point after the discovery of oil fields several years ago. According to the Associated Press, the country's first oil production is expected around 2028. In Korea, Suriname became known through the Netflix drama of the same name.

The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for July 16.