Suriname: Parliamentary support drops for Desi Bouterse - by Ivan Cairo

Desi Bouterse

As a result of a major shake-up of his cabinet, parliamentary support for Suriname’s President Desi Bouterse has now dropped from 36 to 30 of the 51 seats.

In the reshuffle, Bouterse dismissed five ministers, including the ministers of justice and police, sports and youth, physical planning, land and forest management, regional development and public health. They were replaced last Thursday due to poor performance. Meanwhile, three cabinet members will be appointed to other ministries.

During a meeting with officials of the coalition party BEP,  Bouterse said that the party’s service is no longer needed, since the BEP faction in parliament had dropped from four to two seats as a result of infighting.

Sources indicate that Bouterse also notified the New Suriname party that he is no longer counting on their two legislative seats. 

Last month, the MPs and legislators of the BEP faction abstained from voting in favor of the controversial amnesty bill, which granted Bouterse impunity for the so-called ‘December-murders’.


For more: Caribbean News Now!: Parliamentary support drops for Suriname president