Paramaribo – May 20, 2025: Suriname’s general elections, set for May 25, come at a critical juncture for the country. With offshore oil discoveries promising a potential economic windfall, the political stakes are higher than ever. Public expectations are soaring, but so too are concerns about transparency, governance, and equitable development.
Five main parties, VHP, NDP, NPS, ABOP, and PL, offer differing visions for managing Suriname’s emerging oil and gas wealth. VHP focuses on policy continuity and fiscal discipline, while NDP leans toward redistributive, populist policies and a potential shift toward China. NPS supports a sovereign wealth fund and the adoption of Bitcoin, ABOP pushes for greater local economic inclusion, and PL represents rural working-class interests and may influence coalition talks.
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To understand the political dynamics of the election better, it’s helpful to look at the key party leaders, who they are and what they stand for.
- Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi – VHP (Progressive Reform Party)
Santokhi, the incumbent, leads the VHP, a historically Indo-Surinamese party that has evolved into a more multiethnic platform. A former police commissioner and justice minister, he entered politics in the early 2000s and became president in 2020. His administration has focused on economic recovery and debt restructuring. Recent austerity measures, high-profile tenders and corruption allegations have weakened his popularity.
- Jennifer Geerlings-Simons – NDP (National Democratic Party)
Geerlings-Simons is the new face of the NDP following the death of former president Dési Bouterse in 2024. She previously served as Chair of the National Assembly from 2010 to 2020 and is known for her assertive political presence. She appears to be gaining traction in the recent polls, although still short of an outright majority. The NDP campaigns on economic redistribution and state-led development, including closer ties with China.
- Gregory Rusland – NPS (National Party of Suriname)
Rusland has led the NPS since 2012. The party, one of Suriname’s oldest, traditionally represents the Afro-Surinamese community. Rusland, a former minister of natural resources, promotes anti-corruption, sustainability, and the creation of a sovereign wealth fund to manage oil revenues.
- Ronnie Brunswijk – ABOP (General Liberation and Development Party)
A controversial yet influential figure, Brunswijk is a former rebel leader, businessman, and current vice president. He founded ABOP in 1990 and draws strong support from the Maroon population in Suriname’s interior. Despite a criminal past, including a conviction for drug trafficking, he remains a key figure advocating for marginalized communities.
- Bronto Somohardjo – PL (Pertjajah Luhur)
Bronto Somohardjo took over leadership of PL from his father, Paul Somohardjo (the two pictured directly above), on Tuesday, just a week before the election. A former Minister of the Interior, the son now leads the party independently after its split from ABOP. PL, rooted in the Javanese community, focuses on social justice, rural development, and education.
Recent polls indicate that no single party is expected to win an outright majority in the 51-seat National Assembly.
Beyond party lines, the election highlights systemic challenges. Suriname’s political landscape remains shaped by ethnic affiliations. The country’s small but diverse population continues to navigate questions of identity and equity. Meanwhile, regional dynamics, especially relations with Guyana and global energy investors, may hinge on the election’s outcome.
As Suriname stands on the edge of an oil boom, the results of the elections will likely set the tone for the country’s economic and political direction for years to come.
