President of Suriname

President of Suriname President van de Republiek Suriname
Standard of the President of Suriname
Incumbent Dési Bouterse since 12 August 2010
Residence	Presidential Palace
Term length	Five years, renewable
Inaugural holder	Johan Ferrier
Formation	25 November 1975
Website	[1]

The President of the Republic of Suriname (Dutch: President van de Republiek Suriname) is, in accordance with the Constitution of 1987, the head of state and head of government of Suriname, and commander-in-chief of Suriname National Army.

The current President is Dési Bouterse, a former army officer and military dictator. He is affiliated with the National Democratic Party. Bouterse was elected on 19 July 2010 and inaugurated on 12 August at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal (formerly known as National Indoor Stadium).

The office of President was created upon independence from the Netherlands in 1975. Until 1987, the role was largely ceremonial. The first officeholder was Dr. Johan Ferrier, a schoolteacher and veteran politician who had served as governor since 1968. He resigned as president in August 1980, several months after a coup d'état. From then until 1988, the titular Presidents were essentially army-installed puppets of Lt. Col. Bouterse, who ruled as a dictator with few practical checks on his power. Democracy was restored in 1988, the year after the adoption of the constitution, in which the duties and responsibilities of the president were included. On December 24, 1990, two days after Bouterse's resignation as army commander, the army called president Ramsewak Shankar to inform him that he and his cabinet were removed from office. Police Chief and Acting Commander of the army, Ivan Graanoogst was appointed Acting President. On December 27, 1990, Johannes Kraag became the president. Since 1991, the president is elected democratically.

The President and a Vice President are elected by the National Assembly to a five-year mandate and are accountable to the Assembly. During his time in office, the President must forfeit any additional posts in politics or business.