PARAMARIBO – Suriname on Sunday reached a historic milestone when 71-year-old Jennifer Geerlings-Simons was elected president of the Republic of Suriname in parliament by acclamation.
34 of the 50 legislators voted in favor of Simons. Simons who is the first female chairperson of the National Democratic Party (NDP) will also become the first female president of Suriname. Gregory Rusland, chairman of the National Party Suriname (NPS) was elected vice president with the support of 34 voters. The victory of Simons signals a new chapter in the history of Suriname as the nation prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its independence. In het first speech the president-elect emphasized national unity and servitude. “I will use all of the knowledge and strength that I have to make our riches available,” said Simons who made it clear that she will do what is in the nation's best interest and that she will take action as president on behalf of the entire nation.
Jennifer Geerlings-Simons started her political career in 1996 and was a member of parliament until the elections of May 2025. From 2010 until 2020 she was the chairwoman of parliament. She is officially the second woman who chaired Suriname’s parliament. Simons also has a degree in medicine and is a legislator and a doctor. She also studied epidemiology and leptospirose management. Gregory Rusland, the nation’s newly elected vice president, has also been in politics for quite a while. He has been a legislator since 2015. From 2005 until 2010 he was the nation’s minister of Natural Resources. He has a degree in Philosophy & Agronomy and was also a student at the Anton de Kom (Adek) State University. In his first speech as vice president-elect Rusland announced that he wanted to fulfill the role of mediator. “My task is clear: I will be the bridge between policy and execution, between president and the people, between ciy and district, between the present and the future,” said Rusland who pointed out that Suriname is at a historic crossroads with social, economic and institutional challenges. “I will keep working for the nation,” said outgoing President Chandrikapersad Santokhi. The official inauguration of Jennifer Simons and Gregory Rusland is scheduled to take place in the Anthony Nesty Sports Hall on July 16th.
