Jennifer Simons Elected as Suriname’s First Female President Amid Oil Boom Hopes

Paramaribo, July 6, 2025 –

In a historic landmark for Suriname, Jennifer Geerlings‑Simons has been officially elected president by the National Assembly, making her the country’s first female head of state.

The 71-year-old physician and former parliamentary speaker, representing the National Democratic Party (NDP), was chosen in a tightly contested parliamentary vote following the May 25 general election. She secured the position through a six-party coalition that handed her the necessary two-thirds majority (34 out of 51 seats) .

🏛️ Historic Female Leadership in Suriname
Simons ran unopposed and was confirmed on July 6, with her inauguration slated for July 16, 2025 . Upon her election, she acknowledged the significance of her milestone. “I am very aware of the responsibility … compounded … by the fact that I am the first woman to hold this office,” she said . Observers called the moment a groundbreaking step for gender equality in Suriname’s political sphere .

🗳️ Coalition Politics and Parliamentary Power Balance
Simons’s NDP secured 18 seats, narrowly surpassing the Progressive Reform Party’s 17 seats, with smaller parties occupying the remaining 16 . Following intense negotiations, a coalition of six parties—including the National Party of Suriname and ABOP—formed a united front to nominate her . Her vice president will be coalition partner Gregory Rusland, leader of the National Party of Suriname .

💰 Economic Turbulence and the Promise of Oil
Simons steps into office amid severe economic challenges: diminished public subsidies, IMF-backed austerity, and widespread public protests over financial hardship . The country carries a hefty $400 million annual debt burden—a figure economists warn is unsustainable prior to anticipated oil revenues .
However, Suriname is racing toward a potential transformation. The Gran Morgu offshore oil project, led by TotalEnergies, is expected to begin production in 2028, sparking optimism about revenue inflows . Simons has pledged to “make our wealth available to all our people,” while prioritizing youth empowerment, social justice, and prudent resource management .

🎯 Priorities: Stabilisation, Tax Reform, and Inclusive Growth
Her agenda includes:

Economic stabilization via improved tax collection—especially in gold mining
Preparing for oil wealth by building strong fiscal frameworks and transparent revenue management systems
Addressing long-standing social inequities, particularly among youth and under-resourced communities


🌍 Geopolitical Shifts and International Relations
Simons inherits established foreign relations, including alignment with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2019 . Shortly after her election, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended warm congratulations and expressed his interest in deepening China-Suriname cooperation .

🔍
The election of Jennifer Geerlings‑Simons marks a historic moment for Surinamese politics and women in leadership. With looming economic instability and the potential of an oil-driven windfall, her leadership will define whether Suriname can transition from austerity to opportunity. Her inclusive governance style, commitment to fiscal reform, and coalitional mandate position her to shape the country’s next chapter.