Suriname elections 'new' or 'old' politics?

 Surinamese Flag.

In less than ten days  Suriname will elect a new National Assembly and a new government on May 25th,2015. Competing political parties are throwing all their weight into the mudslinging and accusations aspect of  final campaigning days which characterizes any election. A keen observer will however have noticed a significant change in party politics in Suriname since the former Dutch colony gained its independence on November 25th 1975. The big question today is how or if the Surinamese electorate will vote for change or revert to 'old' politics.

A senior voter who describes himself as a staunch supporter of ruling president Bouterse told me that it is thanks to Bouterse's leadership 'we see a clear break away from old politics in the current elections'.

His memories of previous elections include persistent racist and  divide and rule strategies aimed at dividing the small population of Suriname (500.000) along ethnic and religious lines.

Catholics and Protestants, Portuguese Jews and High German Jews, African Surinamese in the interior and Creoles in the capital Paramaribo as well as Hindustani and Javanese inhabitants had their political representatives who fought each other tooth and nail to gain political power.

The indigenous Surinamese long house communal traditions  were replaced by European top down exploitative and race based divisions during four centuries of colonial domination of the Surinamese from the 16th to the 20th century. 

Fortress Zeelandia in Paramaribo

After independence the colonial and neo-colonial traditions not surprisingly, were kept alive by the Surinamese political parties which were mainly catering for their ethnic or religious party members. The international  movement for self determination and independence also affected Suriname's political scene. In 1980 a military coup led by Bouterse, forever changed the political climate in Suriname and a new set of national goals aimed at national development and a Caribbean and latin American orientation were introduced.

Not surprisingly this bold break with tradition triggered fierce opposition of the so called 'old ' politicians who were raised to follow the European dictates and clung to Western European definitions of justice and good government. The murder of 15 opponents by the military on december 8th, 1982 to this day is a thorn in the flesh of the Surinamese advocates of justice and a traditional State of Law.

Against all odds and with increasing popular support the dark days of the 80-ies were transformed into the modern days in which freedom of speech and political organization in Suriname are no longer denied or feared. Economic development and political maturity added to the new political scene which today is   trying hard to get the majority vote.

The political race for votes  is reaching its  climax in the many public meetings in all districts, towns, villages, companies, homes and official television debates, has made a striking break with so called 'old' politics, at least at surface level.

The trend to organize and select on the basis of ethnicity and religion is no longer acceptable but every Surinamese knows  which parties cater for muslims, hindu and christian voters. It is also no secret that attempts of all party leaders to convince the electorate that they are working for all Surinamese are often taken with a pinch of salt. Four centuries of colonial divide and rule are not shaken off easily.

On a positive note it must be said that in contrast with our neighbor Guyana, the Surinamese political scene sticks to debating content and program rather than openly opting for riots and racist divisions. 

A life long friend of  the earlier mentioned senior pro Bouterse voter, has been a staunch supporter of the 'old' politicians and fiercely opposes Bouterse. He interestingly accuses Bouterse of resorting to 'old' politics instead of realizing the new change he had promised. He says  ' it is time Bouterse goes and someone else gets the chance to lead this nation.'  It must be said  that  bitter memories of the december killings are still motivating the choice of many 'old politics' senior voters  against Bouterse. 

In spite of senior sentiments the next generation of young voters are all looking at a chance to get their votes in and get their favorites in power to assure their own advance. For the first time in Suriname's history a record number of women have been candidates of their political parties and have presented themselves successfully during the election campaigns. If these women get elected our National Assembly for the first time in history will have a substantial number of  female parliamentarians.

Internationally Suriname has become an example of multi ethnic and multi religious peaceful coexistence and cooperation which in itself is a political achievement all Surinamese can be proud of. It is expected that the  political race will be focusing on the governing national Democratic party and  rival  United Hindustani Party  who  now have the largest support according to preliminary polls. It is up to the voters to decide on May 25th who will be president, who will be in the National Assembly and who will be government of Suriname. Both senior voters who will be friends till they die, are examples which illustrate how in Suriname 'new' politics and 'old' politics don't come  between friendships which last a life time.

Martha Tjoe Nij