Latest news with #Geerlings-Simons
Miami Herald
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Suriname has its first female president, adding to slate of women leaders in Caribbean
A medical doctor and one-time parliamentary speaker will lead the Caribbean Community's only Dutch-speaking member nation as president, giving the regional its fourth female head of government. Dr. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons was officially sworn-in as president of Suriname on Wednesday in a ceremony attended by diplomats and representatives of neighboring countries including the vice president of Venezuela. The nation, which is located in South America but is part of the Caribbean Community regional bloc, joins Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and tiny Anguilla with females at their helm. It is the first time, observers say, that there have been so many females in leadership positions in the Caribbean where they are also occupying roles as governors, governor generals and ceremonial presidents. In Barbados where Mia Mottley is prime minister, Sandra Mason serves as ceremonial president after the country broke with the British monarchy in November of 2021 to become a republic; and in Trinidad and Tobago where Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar led her party to victory in April, the presidency is led by Christine Kangaloo. In Dominica, the presidency is also held by a woman, Sylvanie Burton, who is also its first indigenous head of state. Geerlings-Simons emerged as president of the former Dutch colony after none of the parties, including that of former president Chan Santokh, won the necessary two-thirds majority in Parliament in the May 25 elections to form the government. She won the second highest individual votes after Santokh, who retained his legislative seat after winning the the most individual votes. Though he was vying to return as president, Sanktoh's Progressive Reform Party could not overcome voters' concerns about high inflation, corruption in the government and austerity measures imposed by the International Monetary Fund program. With the Progressive Reform Party nearly tying with the National Democratic Party, 17 votes to 18 votes, a deal was formed by Geerlings-Simons and her National Democratic with five other parties to install her as president. Geerlings-Simons had served as chairwoman of the party since 2024. Carla Barnett, the secretary general of CARICOM, who attended the swearing-in, noted the historic significance of Geerlings-Simons' indirect election by the National Assembly. Ahead of the swearing-in, Barnett extended congratulations and said the Caribbean Community awaits her input on issues facing the region. 'As we collectively navigate the complex challenges facing our region, including climate change, economic resilience, and sustainable development, your leadership will be crucial,' Barnett said. Independent since 1975, Suriname has had two military coups and in recent years, faced difficult economic challenges. The country, however, is expected to see a surge in revenues, similar to neighboring Guyana, after discovering oil reserves. Oil production is slated to begin in 2028. Geerlings-Simons rise to power hasn't been lost on those who closely follow the region especially given that the military coups were supported by the NDP and its founder, former president Desiré 'Desi' Bouterse who died last year on Christmas Eve while running from justice. The year after leaving office in 2020, Bouterse was convicted in the 1982 murders of 15 government critics, including journalists. In 2023, the conviction was upheld and Bouterse went into hiding. He died at the age of 79., while a fugitive. One of the parties that was part of the coups and had distanced itself from the NDP is now among those in the coalition government. Also, Wednesday's succession of power passed without incident. Geerlings-Simons, 71, whose term runs until 2030, recognized the historical significance in her swearing-in speech. 'Because I am the first woman to hold this position, there will be additional pressure on the work I will do with the government,' she said, as she pledged her government's commitment to recovery. While the country is on the cusp of an oil boom and is expected to begin production in 2028, Geerlings-Simons also spoke of the need to diversity her nation's fragile economy. She concluded her speech with a call for national unity and quoted the words of Surinamese poets Dobru and Shrinivási. 'I would like to unite you as a nation, without this remaining a fairy tale.'
Qatar Tribune
07-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Suriname elects first female president amid uncertainty
Suriname has elected Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as its first female president, with parliament backing the 71-year-old physician and lawmaker to lead the crisis-hit South American nation. Her election came after a coalition deal was struck in the National Assembly, which voted by a two-thirds majority on Sunday. The move followed inconclusive May polls and mounting pressure to replace outgoing President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, whose tenure was marred by corruption scandals and harsh austerity. Geerlings-Simons, leader of the National Democratic Party, ran unopposed and will take office on July 16. 'I am aware that the heavy task I have taken on is further aggravated by the fact that I am the first woman to serve the country in this position,' she said after her confirmation. She will be joined by running mate Gregory Rusland, as the pair inherit a country struggling under the weight of economic hardship, reduced subsidies, and widespread frustration. While Santokhi's government managed to restructure debt and restore macroeconomic stability with IMF backing, it also triggered mass protests over deep cuts. With Suriname expected to begin producing offshore oil in 2028, Geerlings-Simons has promised to focus on stabilising state finances. She has previously pledged to boost revenues by tightening tax collection, including from small-scale gold miners. Economists warn she faces a rocky road ahead. Winston Ramautarsingh, former head of the national economists' association, said Suriname must repay about $400m annually in debt servicing. 'Suriname does not have that money,' he said. 'The previous government rescheduled the debts, but that was only a postponement.' Geerlings-Simons will now be tasked with steering the Dutch-speaking country of 646,000 people through a fragile period, balancing public discontent with the promise of future oil wealth.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Suriname's Parliament elects country's first female President amid economic turmoil
Suriname's Parliament on Sunday (July 6, 2025) elected physician Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as the troubled country's first female President. The South American country's National Assembly chooses the President by a two-thirds vote. Geerlings-Simons, a congresswoman, ran unopposed after her party formed a coalition aimed at ousting the country's current leader following a May election with no clear winner. The coalition was formed as the troubled country prepares for an influx of wealth following the discovery of major offshore oil deposits, with the first production expected by 2028. Geerlings-Simons, who leads the National Democratic Party, will be inaugurated as President of the Dutch-speaking country of more than 646,000 people on July 16. "I am aware that the heavy task I have taken on is further aggravated by the fact that I am the first woman to serve the country in this position," she said after the election. The five-year term of President Chandrikapersad Santokhi has been riddled with corruption scandals, and he was forced to call on the International Monetary Fund to get Suriname's economy back on track. As a result, the country's public debt was largely restructured and government subsidies significantly reduced. Macroeconomically, Santokhi achieved success, but people groaned under the austerity measures, which sparked violent protests. Geerlings-Simons, 71, and her running mate, Gregory Rusland, on Sunday told reporters they will prioritise stabilising the country's finances. She had previously indicated an interest in increasing state revenues by, among other things, improving tax collections, including in the small-scale gold-mining sector. Winston Ramautarsingh, former chairman of Suriname's Association of Economists, said Geerlings-Simons will face serious challenges in the years before the country produces its first barrels of oil, in part because it must repay about $400 million annually in loans and interest. "Suriname does not have that money," he said. "The previous government rescheduled the debts, but that was only a postponement."
Al Etihad
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Jennifer Geerlings-Simons becomes Suriname's first woman president
7 July 2025 01:13 PARAMARIBO, SURINAME (AFP)Lawmakers elected Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as Suriname's first woman president on Sunday, after her party won the most seats in legislative elections in 71-year-old former opposition leader was left the sole candidate for president after her rivals decided on Thursday not to nominate anyone to lead the small country on South America's northern National Democratic Party (NDP) won 18 of the 51 seats in the National Assembly, more than those of the centrist VHP party of outgoing president Chan NDP had already entered into an agreement with five other parties with which it jointly holds 34 seats in parliament -- obtaining the two-thirds majority needed to claim the said she "accepted the position," in a speech to lawmakers, ahead of an inauguration due July 16."I am acutely aware of the responsibility that now rests on our shoulders. This responsibility is made greater by the fact that I am, in fact, the first woman to hold this office," Geerlings-Simons said."I will use all my knowledge, strength and insight to make our wealth available to all our fellow citizens, with special attention to our young people and those who have so far not had the opportunities to develop," she former Dutch colony of 600,000 inhabitants gained its independence in government is hoping that an oil boom will follow from recently discovered offshore oil could bring the tiny nation, where 20 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, an unprecedented windfall from 2028 -- when an offshore block begins the campaign, Geerlings-Simons, former chairperson of the National Assembly, said she wanted "to be in power to ensure that the population really benefits" from the expected oil would involve "establishing a law that requires all companies to work with Surinamese people and buy Surinamese products." Suriname, a diverse country made up of descendants of people from India, Indonesia, China, the Netherlands, indigenous groups, and Africans, marks its 50th anniversary of independence from the Dutch throne this November.
06-07-2025
- Business
Suriname's parliament elects the country's first female president amid economic turmoil
PARAMARIBO, Suriname -- PARAMARIBO, Suriname (AP) — Suriname 's parliament Sunday elected physician Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as the troubled country's first female president. The South American country's National Assembly chooses the president by a two-thirds vote. Geerlings-Simons, a congresswoman, ran unopposed after her party formed a coalition aimed at ousting the country's current leader following a May election with no clear winner. The coalition was formed as the troubled country prepares for an influx of wealth following the discovery of major offshore oil deposits, with the first production expected by 2028. Geerlings-Simons, who leads the National Democratic Party, will be inaugurated as president of the Dutch-speaking country of more than 646,000 people on July 16. 'I am aware that the heavy task I have taken on is further aggravated by the fact that I am the first woman to serve the country in this position,' she said after the election. The five-year term of President Chandrikapersad Santokhi has been riddled with corruption scandals, and he was forced to call on the International Monetary Fund to get Suriname's economy back on track. As a result, the country's public debt was largely restructured and government subsidies significantly reduced. Macroeconomically, Santokhi achieved success, but people groaned under the austerity measures, which sparked violent protests. Geerlings-Simons, 71, and her running mate, Gregory Rusland, on Sunday told reporters they will prioritize stabilizing the country's finances. She had previously indicated an interest in increasing state revenues by, among other things, improving tax collections, including in the small-scale gold-mining sector. Winston Ramautarsingh, former chairman of Suriname's Association of Economists, said Geerlings-Simons will face serious challenges in the years before the country produces its first barrels of oil, in part because it must repay about $400 million annually in loans and interest. 'Suriname does not have that money," he said. "The previous government rescheduled the debts, but that was only a postponement.'
