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Suriname: Government

Key Figures

Chief of State:
President Chandrikapersad Santokhi
Head of Government:
President Chandrikapersad Santokhi

Overview

Government Name:
Republic of Suriname
Constitution:
Adopted: 1987; Following a referendum, the constitution marked the reutrn to democracy after the Bouterse military dictatorship of the 1980's. Divided into chapters, topics such as sovereignty; economic and social goals; international principles; basic rights, individual rights, and freedoms; social, cultural, and economic fights and obligations; structure of the government; and functions of the economic system.
Government Type:
Presidential Republic
Republic of Suriname Flag
Coat of Arms of Republic of Suriname

Index of Economic Freedom

Grades each country on a scale of 0 to 100, based on ten freedoms, with 100 representing the greatest amount of economic autonomy from government intervention. Source: Heritage Foundation (2023)

Country Risk Rating

D
A high-risk political and economic situation and an often very difficult business environment can have a very significant impact on corporate payment behavior. Corporate default probability is very high. Source: Coface (2022)

Government Branches

Main Powers Election Process Election Cycle 1
Executive

Declares war and states of emergency with the ratification of the National Assembly, concludes foreign treaties and agreements, again with the assent of the Assembly, exercises ceremonial duties such as conferring awards, receiving foreign diplomats, and granting pardons.

President is elected by the National Assembly.

5 years
Judicial

Supervises the magistrate courts.

Appointed by president.

Life appointment
Legislative

Highest institution of the State and represents the people of the republic. Exercise of legislative power is jointly in hands of the National Assembly and the government.

National Assembly (Nationale Assemblée) members are elected through an open-list proportional representation system.

5 years

Regional Trade Blocs
CARICOM

International Organization Participation [2]

Environmental Agreements [3]

Tax Information [2]

Tax Authority:
Information not available
Tax Name:
Information not available

Sources:

  1. ElectionGuide http://www.electionguide.org/
  2. EY, http://www.ey.com
  3. CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
  4. U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/