Oil riches are on the horizon as Suriname chooses its next government
Al JazeeraMAY 9
Suriname Parliament Elects Country's First Female President
Above: Jennifer Geerlings-Simons after the National Assembly election in Paramaribo on July 6, 2025. Image copyright: Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
It's no surprise that all parties have decided to team up against Santokhi, as his popularity sunk in the run-up to the elections — this is good news for Suriname because after his disastrous stint as president, including with regard to the environment and ancestral rights. In comparison, the election of Geerlings-Simons is a step forward for the country.
Narrative B
Political negotiations ousted Santokhi from office, but the fact that he was the most popular lawmaker in the latest Suriname election is a testament to his achievements while in office. Under his administration, the country reduced its debt-to-GDP ratio by almost half and increased international reserves from zero to $1.4 billion, stabilizing the economy and laying ground for sustainable growth.