Suriname · Government
Government and administration in Suriname
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Executive — President and Council of Ministers
- Elected by the National Assembly with a two-thirds majority, or by a broader People's Assembly if that fails.
- Legislative — De Nationale Assemblée
- Unicameral, 51 members elected by proportional representation.
- Judicial — Hof van Justitie and Constitutioneel Hof
- The President appoints the Hof van Justitie on its own recommendation.
- Advisory — Staatsraad (Council of State)
- Advises on legislation and administration.
How legislation is made
Bills are introduced by the executive or by Assembly members, debated and passed by a simple majority of the 51-member Assembly, then ratified and promulgated by the President. Constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority of the Assembly. Because the Assembly also elects the President, executive and legislature are closely fused.
Enforcement institutions
- Openbaar Ministerie
- Public prosecution service headed by the Procureur-Generaal.
- Korps Politie Suriname
- National police force under the Justice and Police Ministry.
- Belastingdienst
- Tax administration; VAT replaced turnover tax in 2023.
Government bodies and regulators
- judicialConstitutioneel Hof van SurinameReviews legislation against the Constitution and treaties.
- judicialHof van Justitie van SurinameHighest court of the ordinary judiciary.
- judicialOpenbaar MinisterieProsecutes criminal offences.
- executiveBelastingdienst SurinameAdministers taxes and duties.
- executiveHoofdafdeling VreemdelingenzakenAdministers residence and foreign-national registration.
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