Government (Suriname)
=====================


     Long-form name:
         Republic of Suriname
     Type:
         republic
     Capital:
         Paramaribo
     Administrative divisions:
         10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne,
         Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini,
         Wanica
     Independence:
         25 November 1975 (from Netherlands; formerly Netherlands Guiana or Dutch
         Guiana)
     Constitution:
         ratified 30 September 1987
     Legal system:
         NA
     National holiday:
         Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
     Executive branch:
         president, vice president and prime minister, Cabinet of Ministers, Council
         of State; note - Commander in Chief of the National Army maintains
         significant power
     Legislative branch:
         unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)
     Judicial branch:
         Supreme Court
     Leaders:
       Chief of State and Head of Government:
         President Ronald VENETIAAN (since 16 September 1991); Vice President and
         Prime Minister Jules AJODHIA (since 16 September 1991)
     Political parties and leaders:
       traditional ethnic-based parties:
         The New Front (NF), a coalition formed of four parties following the 24
         December 1990 military coup - Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Jaggernath
         LACHMON; National Party of Suriname (NPS), Henck ARRON; Indonesian Peasants
         Party (KTPI), Willie SOEMITA; and Suriname Labor Party (SPA) Fred DERBY;
       promilitary:
         National Democratic Party (NDP), Orlando VAN AMSON; Democratic Alternative
         '91 (DA '91), Winston JESSURUN, a coalition of five parties formed in
         January 1991 - Alternative Forum (AF), Gerard BRUNINGS, Winston JESSURUN;
         Reformed Progressive Party (HPP), Panalal PARMESSAR; Party for Brotherhood
         and Unity in Politics (BEP), Cipriano ALLENDY; Pendawalima, Marsha JAMIN;
         and Independent Progressive Group, Karam RAMSUNDERSINGH;
       leftists:
         Revolutionary People's Party (RVP), Michael NAARENDORP; Progressive Workers
         and Farmers (PALU), Iwan KROLIS
     Suffrage:
         universal at age 18
     Elections:
       President:
         last held 6 September 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - elected
         by the National Assembly - Ronald VENETIAAN (NF) 80% (645 votes), Jules
         WIJDENBOSCH (NDP) 14% (115 votes), Hans PRADE (DA '91) 6% (49 votes)
       National Assembly:
         last held 25 May 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - percent of
         vote NA; seats - (51 total) NF 30, NDP 12, DA '91 9