The chairman of the NPS who is also the nation's vice president, Gregory Rusland, talked about the people who contributed to the existence of the party. He pointed out that “the leaders were not the only ones who made it possible for the party to still exist after 80 years but the structures and members also played a significant role. Rusland pointed out that there were times when the  NPS ran the country but that there were also times when it was part of the opposition in parliament. “The NPS is the oldest active political party in Suriname,” said Rusland who added that the party plans on staying active for a long time to come. “The NPS can still do a lot for the country.” Rusland acknowlegded that the party also had its share of internal problems but that it always managed to restore the unity and move forward.  “Many had said and predicted that the NPS would not longer be around. The NPS is still going strong,” said  Rusland who added that the party keeps a close eye on the developments in the country and that it is ready to accept the responsibility when that becomes necessary. The 80th anniversary was celebrated modestly in Grun Dyari on Tuesday night. According to Rusland, the party opted for a modest celebration because the current period is not suitable for a big party.