National Assembly of Suriname
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National Assembly De Nationale Assemblée |
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|---|---|
| 6th Surinamese National Assembly | |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
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Chairwoman
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Vice-Chairwoman
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Ruth Wijdenbosch
Since 30, June, 2010 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 51 |
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Political groups
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| Elections | |
| Proportional Voting | |
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Last election
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25 May, 2015 |
| Website | |
| www |
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Coordinates: 5°49′32″N 55°9′2″W / 5.82556°N 55.15056°W
The National Assembly (De Nationale Assemblée, The Assembly, commonly abbreviated "DNA") is the Parliament, representing the legislative branch of government in Suriname. It is a unicameral legislature. The assembly is situated at the Independence Square in Paramaribo, after a fire completely destroyed the old building of representation on August 1, 1996.
The 51 members of parliament are elected every five years by proportional representation on the basis of the country's component districts. The most recent elections were held on May 25, 2010. On May 30, Jennifer Simons was appointed as Chair of the assembly. Ruth Wijdenbosch was the first woman to be appointed as Vice Chair.
The first representation was formed by the Colonial States, from 1866. The name was changed to States of Suriname in 1936. When Suriname became an independent republic on November 25, 1975, the representation was named Parliament of the Republic of Suriname. This Parliament was made inoperative during the coup d'état of 1980. In 1985, the Parliament was replaced by an appointed Assembly. The National Assembly, in its current form, dates from 1987. In that year, democracy was reestablished after the coup and a new constitution was adopted, organizing the Assembly, so new elections could be held on November 25, 1987. From here on, elections were held in 1991, 1996, 2000, 2005 and 2010.
From December 1973, Emile Wijntuin was the Chairman of the States of Suriname, and remained Chairman of Parliament after Independence, until it was dissolved in August 1980.
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