Parliamentary elections in Suriname 2005

The Suriname Parliamentary Elections took place on May 25, 2005. The ruling New Front for Democracy and Development party nominated Ronald Venetiaan for presidential re-election, a position he held since 2000 and in an earlier 1991- nineteen ninety six. Its campaign was based mainly on the allegation of the visible economic growth that the country lived from the stagnation that had been suffering since 1998.

On the other hand the opposition National Democratic Party of former dictator Desi Bouterse nominated Rabin Parmessar, former Minister of Health of Venetiaan.

The electoral result threw a significant advantage for the NF who got 41.3% however suffered a significant reduction of its seats to 23 that would prevent him from electing Venetiaan without a coalition. The PND managed to add 23.1% and place second with 15 seats. The alliance of former President Jules Wijdenbosch (APP) ranked third with 14.5% and 5 seats. The other independent forces divided the remaining 8 seats.

This result allowed a coalition of the NF with A-Combination and A1 receiving 31 seats, not enough to be a 2/3 majority. The election had to be taken to the People's Assembly (electoral method in which the district deputies choose by simple majority the president). The bad image that Parmessar gave to the assembly members, since he was found to have dual Dutch nationality (something that is not allowed in the constitution of Suriname) motivated the re-election of Venetiaan in July of 2005.

Participation was 65.1% Results

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