Suriname - Government
The Republic of Suriname is a constitutional democracy based on the 1987 constitution. The legislative branch of government consists of a 51-member unicameral National Assembly, simultaneously and popularly elected for a 5-year term.
The executive branch is headed by the president, who is elected by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly or, failing that, by a majority of the People's Assembly for a 5-year term. If at least two-thirds of the National Assembly cannot agree to vote for one presidential candidate, a People's Assembly is formed from all National Assembly delegates and regional and municipal representatives who were elected by popular vote in the most recent national election. A vice president, normally elected at the same time as the president, needs a simple majority in the National Assembly or People's Assembly to be elected for a 5-year term.
As head of government, the president appoints a cabinet of ministers, currently numbered at 17 and apportioned among the various political parties represented in the ruling coalition. There is no constitutional provision for removal or replacement of the president unless he resigns.
A 15-member State Advisory Council advises the president in the conduct of policy. Eleven of the 15 council seats are allotted by proportional representation of all political parties represented in the National Assembly. The president chairs the council; two seats are allotted to representatives of labor, and two are allotted to employers' organizations.
De Nationale Assemblée (DNA) candidates are elected by proportional representation on a largest average formula basis with preferential votes. In each constituency, the first seat is awarded to the political party having obtained the highest number of votes. The remaining seats are awarded to the party with the highest average number of votes. In each party list, the candidate(s) having obtained the most preferential votes are declared elected. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled by substitutes, according to the order of names on each party list. Voting is not compulsory.
Suriname's electoral system assigns National Assembly seats on a proportional basis, so larger coalitions have the advantage in capturing National Assembly seats. The constitution provides for direct election of the 51-member National Assembly no later than five years after the prior election date. The National Assembly in turn elects the president by a two-thirds majority vote.
The United People's Assembly is composed of all 51 National Assembly members, and also includes all Resort Council members and all District Council members -- which together compose the overwhelming majority of its approximately 890 members. Therefore, the coalition that does the best in the Resort Council elections (which also indirectly elect the District Council members) picks the president and forms the next government.
After the elections of April 5, 1866 the Colonial States was set to parliament. The first session was officially opened on 8 May 1866. Colonial States consisted of 13 members of which nine were chosen by voters and four appointed by the Governor. Upon entry into force of the new constitution in 1936 the name was changed to the Colonial States' States of Suriname ". The number of members was increased to 15, of which 10 were chosen by voting citizens, while five were appointed by the Governor. In 1948, the general franchise was introduced with a membership of 21, were in May 1949. The first elections held according to this system, the number of members was increased in 1963 to 36; 24, chosen according to the person majority system, and 12 is selected in accordance with the system of proportional rural representation. The Land Ordinance of December 28, 1966 the number of members was increased to 39. In 1975 Suriname became independent, and was subjected to the College again a change of name: namely, the Parliament of the Republic of Suriname.
The judiciary is headed by the Court of Justice (Supreme Court). This court supervises the magistrate courts. Members are appointed for life by the president in consultation with the National Assembly, the State Advisory Council, and the National Order of Private Attorneys.
The country is divided into 10 administrative districts, each headed by a district commissioner appointed by the president. The commissioner is somewhat similar to the governor of a U.S. state but serves at the president's pleasure.
The multiple, no majority political party system may have disadvantaged Suriname in some respects by delaying government progress on a number of fronts, resulting in social harmony without development. Government employees are often hired based on ethnicity or political party membership rather than on competency, education, or work experience. Political appointees fill positions at all levels of the government.
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