Nickerie.Net Special, maandag 06 juni 2005  

Elections in the tiny South American state of Surinam have ended with no party securing a clear majority.

With most of the votes counted, President Ronald Venetiaan's New Front (NF) coalition has most MPs with 23. The main opposition group, the National Democratic Party (NDP), led by former military ruler Desi Bouterse, obtained 15 seats, doubling its representation. Tough negotiations are expected as the NF tries to find the two-thirds majority needed to elect a president.

Alliance building

Mr Venetiaan's four-party coalition is likely to seek alliances with smaller parties, including the A-Combination - representing descendents of former slaves - and the People's Alliance for Progress.

Justice Minister Siegfried Gilds, whose NF lost nine seats in the election, told local radio: "We really believed we would get more seats.

"But we have to accept the voters' decision and examine the possibilities to carry on in the interests of the nation."

The US and the Netherlands have warned they would have difficulty maintaining normal relations with the country if Mr Bouterse were elected president. He was convicted in his absence by a Dutch court of involvement in the cocaine trade - charges which he has denied. Mr Bouterse, who ruled the country between 1980 and 1987, is also accused of having 15 government opponents murdered in 1982. He returned to power briefly between 1990 and 1991.

Parliament will have two months to elect a president once the official results of the general election are published.

Observers from the Organisation of American States (OAS) said the elections were peaceful and orderly.

President 'leads' Surinam's poll

President Venetiaan is tipped as holding on to power

Voting has ended in Surinam in a general election for a new 51-member parliament and regional leaders for the former Dutch colony. Early results suggest President Ronald Venetiaan's coalition is slightly ahead, AFP news agency reports.

Opinion polls had said he held a slight lead in the South American state.

There had been fears that relations with the US and the Netherlands could be hit if ex-military ruler Desi Bouterse was returned to power. A Dutch court convicted him in absentia of involvement in the cocaine trade. He denies the charges.

Correspondents say neither Mr Venetiaan or Mr Bouterse is expected to win an overall majority. The election is likely to be followed by negotiations with minor parties, including representatives of Surinam's former slaves, they say. Mr Venetiaan is an advocate of free-market economic policies.

Mr Bouterse reached out to young and poor voters who complain that economic reforms undertaken by Mr Venetiaan's four-party New Front Coalition have not improved their lives. Final results are expected later on Thursday.

New case?

Voter turnout was light but steady amid rain showers on Wednesday.

Mr Venetiaan cast his vote in the capital, Paramaribo, accompanied by drummers and flag-waving supporters.

Dozens of screaming supporters were said to have mobbed Mr Bouterse as he arrived to vote in a school outside Paramaribo, chanting "Des for Pres".

The new parliament will choose a president and vice-president.

Since independence in 1975, Surinam has had to contend with a series of coups and a civil war. Mr Bouterse dominated politics for much of the post-independence era. He was sentenced to 11 years in jail by the Dutch court in 1999 - but both countries have signed a treaty prohibiting extradition. He is also facing prosecution in connection with the 1982 killings of 15 political opponents.

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