Suriname - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Suriname, it was name may derive from the Surinen people who inhabited the area at the time of European contact. The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
National symbols
Royal palm, faya lobi (flower).
The flag
The National flag of Suriname has five horizontal bands of green (top, double-width), white, red (quadruple-width), white, and green (double-width); a five-pointed yellow star is centered in the red band; red stands for progress and love, green for hope and fertility, and white for peace, justice, and freedom; the star represents the unity of ethnic groups.
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The National Anthem
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More about the government of Suriname
| Date of Independence | 25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands) |
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| National holiday | Independence Day, 25 November (1975) |
| Legal system | civil law system influenced by Dutch civil law |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Previous 1975; latest ratified 30 September 1987, effective 30 October 1987 |
| Amendment process | Proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | at least one parent must be a citizen of Suriname |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 5 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Jennifer GEERLINGS-SIMONS (since 16 July 2025) |
| Head of government | President Jennifer GEERLINGS-SIMONS (since 16 July 2025) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president |
| Election/appointment process | president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly; president and vice president serve a 5-year term (no term limits) |
| Most recent election date | 6 July 2025 |
| Election results | 2025: Jennifer GEERLINGS-SIMONS elected president unopposed; National Assembly vote - NA 2020: Chandrikapersad "Chan" SANTOKHI elected president unopposed; National Assembly vote - NA 2015: Desire Delano BOUTERSE reelected president unopposed; National Assembly vote - NA |
| Expected date of next election | 2030 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | National Assembly (Nationale Assemblee) |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 51 (all directly elected) |
| Electoral system | Proportional representation |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 5 years |
| Most recent election date | 5/25/2025 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | National Democratic Party (NDP) (18); Progressive Reform Party (VHP) (17); National Party of Suriname (NPS) (6); General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP) (6); Other (4) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 31.4% |
| Expected date of next election | May 2030 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | High Court of Justice of Suriname (consists of the court president, vice president, and 4 judges) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Court judges appointed by the national president in consultation with the National Assembly, the State Advisory Council, and the Order of Private Attorneys; judges serve for life |
| Subordinate courts | Cantonal courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Jan Marten Willem SCHALKWIJK (since 19 April 2022) |
| Chancery | 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 629-4302 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 629-4769 |
| Email address and website | amb.vs@gov.sr https://surinameembassy.org/index.html |
| Consulate(s) general | Miami |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Robert J. FAUCHER (since 31 January 2023) |
| Embassy | 165 Kristalstraat, Paramaribo |
| Mailing address | 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington DC 20521-3390 |
| Telephone | [597] 556-700 |
| FAX | [597] 551-524 |
| Email address and website | caparamar@state.gov https://sr.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Central Suriname Nature Reserve (n); Historic Inner City of Paramaribo (c); Jodensavanne Archaeological Site: Jodensavanne Settlement and Cassipora Creek Cemetery (c) |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Suriname
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Suriname
Want to know more about Suriname? Check all different factbooks for Suriname below.
