Suriname elects first female president

Suriname elects first female president

 

On July 6, the Suriname parliament elected its first female president.
Jennifer Simons is a former doctor and speaker of parliament. Her National Democratic Party won 18 seats in the May 25 election. A two-thirds majority is required to be elected president.
The 71-year-old Simons has pledged to focus on youth and the disabled. Her inauguration is scheduled for July 16. Incumbent President Chan Santokh will continue as a member of parliament.

Suriname is one of the smallest independent countries in South America, located on the Atlantic coast. It was a former colony of the Netherlands since 1975.