Latest news with #Geerlings-Simons
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.'
San Francisco Chronicle
06-07-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Suriname's parliament elects the country's first female president amid economic turmoil
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.'
