Climate of change in Suriname

Suriname's new dawn is rising and  new hopes are soaring sky high. The victorious party in Suriname's May 25th election is definitely the National Democratic Party led by President  D. D. Bouterse. Recent election results show that the V7 coalition led by C. Santokhi has lost  while V7 coalition is said to fall apart after internal  tensions started surfacing.

Indigenous Surinamese in festive dress

Understanding Surinamese politics is easy if one understands the workings of a post colonial political system  traditionally based mainly on divide and rule, and ethnic affiliations to politics and power. Suriname was colonized by the British, French and Dutch for more than three centuries and the process of decolonization has only recently begun in 1975, when Suriname became an independent republic.

19th century painting of  Dutch slaveship in Paramaribo

Today's generation of young  post revolution politicians in Suriname wants to be part of global developments and presents Surname as an independent nation. Suriname's young voter generation wants to connect with the economic, social and political advances made by newly independent nations who finally control their own natural resources. South-South cooperation and BRICS oriented development will replace the traditionally European focus in Suriname. Expectations are high and the refusal to accept any delay in progressive development and  sharing of wealth, puts a lot of pressure on any to be formed next government .

Surinamese young men from Saramacca district

After all, voters expect that  the promises made during the election campaign trail will materialize. In spite of attempts by the opposition  to belittle the political awareness and choice of the majority of Surinamese voters, it is clear the majority vote given to Bouterse to reign five more years, has a lot to do with expectations people have that his new approach might lead to satisfactory results.

Surinamese youths in  Saramacca District

Suriname is going through a period of  transition in which  fundamental changes in  education, economics and production  are geared towards shaking off heavy burdens belonging to our  colonial past. In an attempt to  reinvent our own  values, the Surinamese voters have said yes to policies of change and modern development .

Capital Paramaribo view of H.J.Arron street

 Most Surinamese voters  understood that  investment must be given time to yield results.  Increase in productivity and development of  workers, teachers, nurses and  owners of factories, offices and companies  is expected to result in change both nationally and internationally. Surinamese voters after all want better living conditions and greater wealth for all Surinamese.

 Madamme Jeanette fresh peppers

 Export quality Surinamese Ocra 

The choice to unite and profit from all cultural and ethnic skills and knowledge available in our 

population was the best choice and the voters who are mostly young voters have definitely made that choice .The historic first ever win of one party with a multi-ethnic and pro-Caribbean/Latin American orientation has left the traditional coalition of ethnically based  Europe focused parties without weapons to fight the new situation. The first ever  newly elected parliament with  a record number of women is another victory for the advocates of change in Suriname.

Indigenous Surinamese women in festive dress

The fact remains however. that identification of more than 300.000 Dutch Surinamese in Europe, with Surinamese in the Caribbean, will  continue to affect the Surinamese decolonization process. New media and global village awareness will make the decolonization of Surinamese minds a dynamic and life changing experience.

 Colonial buste in Presidential palace gardens

There are many ways to interpret the election results, but general view is that a definite breech has been made with the way politics were done in the past. It is up to the next generation to do better and to give the voters what they need. A one party controlled parliament with an increased number of women is expected to deliver top notch laws and must represent  voters who gave them the chance to do their job.

Javanese and Carib inhabitants of Suriname

In a few months it will become clear if the voters were right and if the new government is able to do the many jobs  that lay ahead. For now everyone in Suriname is trying to get used to the new political climate of change and young energetic expectations.