Gregory Rusland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gregory Rusland
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Rusland in 2025
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| Vice President of Suriname | |
| Assumed office 16 July 2025 |
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| President | Jennifer Geerlings-Simons |
| Preceded by | Ronnie Brunswijk |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 2015 |
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| Constituency | Paramaribo District |
| Leader of the National Party of Suriname | |
| Assumed office June 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Ronald Venetiaan |
| Minister for Natural Resources | |
| In office 2005–2010 |
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| President | Ronald Venetiaan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gregory Allan Rusland
9 November 1959 Paramaribo, Suriname |
| Political party | National Party of Suriname |
| Relations | Harold Rusland (father), Andy Rusland (brother) |
| Alma mater | Anton de Kom University of Suriname, University of Florida |
Gregory Allan Rusland (born on November 9, 1959) is an important politician from Suriname. He became the Vice President of Suriname on July 16, 2025. Before this, he served as a government minister. He also leads a major political party in Suriname.
Contents
Who is Gregory Rusland?
Gregory Allan Rusland was born in Paramaribo, Suriname, on November 9, 1959. He is known for his work in politics and his dedication to his country.
Early Life and Learning
Gregory Rusland started his education in Suriname. He studied how to grow crops and manage farms at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname. In 1982, he earned his first degree there.
He then traveled to the United States to continue his studies. At the University of Florida, he earned a master's degree in 1984. He later completed his PhD at the same university in 1987.
After finishing his studies, Mr. Rusland returned to the Anton de Kom University. He taught there for many years, from 1987 to 2005. He also helped create new departments and programs at the university. Besides his academic work, he also worked in business, including leading a company that dealt with shrimp.
A Career in Politics
Gregory Rusland has had a long and active career in Surinamese politics. He has held several important roles in the government and in his political party.
Becoming a Minister
From 2005 to 2010, Mr. Rusland served as the Minister for Natural Resources. In this role, he was in charge of managing Suriname's natural wealth, like its forests and minerals. This is a very important job for any country.
After the 2010 elections, he was considered for the role of Vice President. He ran alongside presidential candidate Chan Santokhi.
Leading a Political Party
In June 2012, Gregory Rusland became the leader of the National Party of Suriname. This is one of the main political parties in the country. He took over from Ronald Venetiaan, who was a former president. As party leader, he helps guide the party's goals and plans. He won an election within his party to become its leader. In December 2020, he was re-elected to lead the party for a third time.
Serving in the National Assembly
Since 2015, Mr. Rusland has been a member of the National Assembly. This is like the parliament or congress in other countries. Members of the National Assembly help make laws for Suriname. He was elected to represent the people of Paramaribo District.
In 2015, after the general elections, he was again a candidate for Vice President. He ran with Chan Santokhi once more. He was also re-elected to the National Assembly in the 2020 elections.
Working with Other Parties
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Suriname in March 2020, Mr. Rusland supported government efforts to keep people safe. However, he also expressed concern about a nighttime curfew. He felt it limited people's freedom.
In February 2023, the National Party of Suriname, led by Mr. Rusland, left the government's cabinet. They stated they felt they were not involved enough in government decisions.
After the 2025 elections, Mr. Rusland's party joined a new government group. This group included the National Democratic Party, even though they had different political ideas for a long time. This new group formed a strong majority in the government.
As part of this agreement, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, the leader of the National Democratic Party, chose Mr. Rusland as her running mate for Vice President. They were elected without opposition on July 6, 2025. Mr. Rusland officially became the Vice President of Suriname on July 16, 2025.
Family and Personal Interests
Gregory Rusland is married and has two children. His family has a history in public service. His father, Harold Rusland, was a union leader and also served as a Minister of Education. His brother, Andy Rusland, was a Minister of Finance. Mr. Rusland has mentioned that he feels a special connection to Florida in the United States.
See also
In Spanish: Gregory Rusland para niños
