Santokhi and Brunswijk have no competition

Chandrikapersad Santokhi, chairman of the VHP, is officially the candidate for the presidency of Suriname while Ronnie Brunswijk, chairman of the ABOP, is the candidate for the vice presidency. Candidates need the signatures from at least 7 members of parliament. Santokhi and Brunswijk reportedly received the signatures from 33 members. The NDP has not presented any candidates. Parties had until 3 a.m. on July 8 to present their candidates.

Ronnie Brunswijk who is currently the chairman of parliament explained that he would prefer to remain chairman but that he opts for the vice presidency so that he can be close to the decision making of the government. “I would like to stay in parliament. We are busy raising this country to higher levels and I want to be there where the decisions are made,” said Brunswijk who added that he wants to see everything that happens at the ministries. As vice president he will also be chairman of the Council of Ministers. The NDP has kept its promise and is supporting the transitional phase. It has not presented any candidates to run against Santokhi and Brunswijk. The candidates need 34 votes to officially become the new leaders of the country.