Suriname: Desi Bouterse wins election as young voters ignore his criminal record

The so-called "Mega Political Union" of Desi Bouterse (64)  won Suriname's ( former Dutch Colony) national election yesterday capturing  24 seats and coming just 2 seats short of an absolute majority, while the ruling government New Front party of President Ronald Venetiaan dropped to 14 seats. It is still possible Bouterse might get the absolute majority in case of potential recounts.

Bouterse's party mainly won as a result of the youth vote, which apparently had no qualms about Mr. Bouterse's checkered past and his criminal record.

Bouterse  and 11 others are standing trial on charges that they executed 15 prominent political opponents in 1982. The trial is scheduled to resume in June. Bouterse has denied any involvement, but he accepted political responsibility in a 2007 public apology. He was previously convicted in a Dutch court in 1999 of trafficking cocaine from Suriname to the Netherlands, but he avoided an 11-year prison sentence because both countries prohibit extradition of each others' citizens. Bouterse seized control of Suriname in a 1980 coup, five years after it gained independence from the Netherlands. He stepped down under international pressure in 1987 and briefly seized power again in 1990.

"If you take a look at Bouterse's history and track record, I cannot understand that people pin their hopes on Bouterse for a better future," said Regi Kensenhuys, 42, of Osembo, who voted for the outgoing government.  Bouterse is popular among the young and the poor for promising more jobs and affordable housing. "Bouterse will stop multinationals from carrying our gold and other natural resources away ," said Kevin Pique, 22, who said he voted for Bouterse's coalition.

Bouterse could become president if his coalition builds enough of an advantage in parliament. The president is chosen by a two-thirds vote by lawmakers. Since no coalition is expected to win such a large majority outright, negotiations will likely be required to settle on a new leader. Outgoing President Ronald Venetiaan, 74, of the New Front  said he is not seeking another term in the top job.

It is, however, not expected Mr. Bouterse will  run for President, but the danger exists that he will use his political power and  influence to stop the court case presently going on against him and the 21 other accomplices, and that he could also change the amnesty laws by putting the Suriname judiciary system under pressure. Political insiders believe that if this happens the only way it can be stopped is by a united effort of democratic forces in and outside the country, using all available means available within the limits of the law, to 'remove the danger' that Suriname slips back into the chaos, which used to be the order of the day when Mr. Bouterse was running the country in the past..

Observers with the Organization of American States said voting Tuesday was peaceful and reported no irregularities.

EU-Digest