Suriname is approaching a pivotal election on May 25th, amid pressing economic difficulties and a politically divided landscape.
The outcome may not only shape the country’s future leadership but also potentially introduce the Caribbean Community’s third female head of government, breaking the region’s male-dominated pattern.
The competition centers on the National Democratic Party (NDP) and the VHP, neither poised to claim an outright majority.
This will likely lead to coalition talks, with the presidential decision hinging on Suriname’s indirect election system, requiring consensus in the National Assembly or, failing that, the broader United People’s Assembly.
Efforts to promote female political participation have intensified, supported by the government and the UNDP.
The ‘Excellence, Women First’ campaign encourages public support for electing Suriname’s first female president, marking a significant moment in both national and regional politics.