Vice President of Suriname facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vice President of the Republic of Suriname |
|
---|---|
Style | His Excellency |
Appointer | National Assembly |
Term length | Five years, renewable indefinitely |
Precursor | Prime Minister |
Inaugural holder | Henck Arron |
Formation | 25 January 1988 |
Deputy | Deputy Vice President (1988–1990) |
Salary | 116,870 USD annually |
Website | Cabinet of the Vice-President |
The Vice President of Suriname is a very important leader in the country, second only to the President. Both the President and the Vice President are chosen by the National Assembly, which is like Suriname's parliament. They serve for five years.
This important job was created in 1987. Before that, Suriname had a Prime Minister. The Vice President helps manage the daily work of the government's team, called the Council of Ministers. They work closely with the President.
Currently, the Vice President is Gregory Rusland. He belongs to the National Party of Suriname (NPS). Mr. Rusland was chosen on July 6, 2025, by "acclamation." This means everyone agreed, so there was no need for a vote. He officially started his job on July 16, 2025, in a special ceremony in Paramaribo.
Contents
What the Vice President Does
The Vice President steps in and takes on the President's duties in a few situations:
- If the President cannot do their job because they are unwell.
- If the President temporarily decides to step away from their duties.
- If there is no President, or if the President is away from the country.
- If legal action has started against the President, as explained in Article 140 of the Constitution.
Who Has Been Vice President?
Here is a list of the people who have served as Vice President of Suriname.
- Political Parties
Party for National Unity and Solidarity (KTPI) National Party of Suriname (NPS) National Democratic Party (NDP) Progressive Reform Party (VHP) Basic Party for Renewal and Democracy (BVD) General Liberation and Development Party (ABOP)
Vice Presidents of Suriname (1988–Present)
Vice President | Time in Office | Political Party | President | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Picture | Name (Born–Died) |
Started Job | Left Job | How Long They Served | ||
1 | ![]() |
Henck Arron (1936–2000) |
25 January 1988 | 24 December 1990 | 2 years, 333 days | NPS | Ramsewak Shankar (VHP) |
2 | ![]() |
Jules Wijdenbosch (1941–2025) |
7 January 1991 | 16 September 1991 | 252 days | NDP | Johan Kraag (NPS) |
3 | ![]() |
Jules Ajodhia (1945–2024) |
16 September 1991 | 15 September 1996 | 4 years, 365 days | VHP | Ronald Venetiaan (NPS) |
4 | ![]() |
Pretaap Radhakishun (1934–2001) |
15 September 1996 | 12 August 2000 | 3 years, 332 days | BVD | Jules Wijdenbosch (NDP) |
(3) | ![]() |
Jules Ajodhia (1945–2024) |
12 August 2000 | 12 August 2005 | 5 years | VHP | Ronald Venetiaan (NPS) |
5 | ![]() |
Ramdien Sardjoe (born 1935) |
12 August 2005 | 12 August 2010 | 5 years | VHP | |
6 | ![]() |
Robert Ameerali (born 1961) |
12 August 2010 | 12 August 2015 | 5 years | ABOP | Dési Bouterse (NDP) |
7 | ![]() |
Ashwin Adhin (born 1980) |
12 August 2015 | 16 July 2020 | 4 years, 339 days | NDP | |
8 | ![]() |
Ronnie Brunswijk (born 1961) |
16 July 2020 | 16 July 2025 | 5 years | ABOP | Chan Santokhi (VHP) |
8 | ![]() |
Gregory Rusland (born 1959) |
16 July 2025 | Incumbent | 21 days (as of August 6, 2025) |
NPS | Jennifer Geerlings-Simons (NDP) |
Deputy Vice President of Suriname (1988–1990)
Deputy Vice President | Time in Office | Political Party | Vice President | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Picture | Name (Born–Died) |
Started Job | Left Job | How Long They Served | ||
1 | ![]() |
Willy Soemita (1936–2022) |
25 January 1988 | 24 December 1990 | 2 years, 333 days | KTPI | Arron (NPS) |
Timeline of Vice Presidents

See also
In Spanish: Vicepresidente de Surinam para niños