Politics in Suriname

Suriname's political system combines constitutional institutions, public administration and elections. The Constitution, known locally as the Grondwet, was adopted on 30 September 1987 and amended in 1992. De Nationale Assemblée, commonly called the DNA, is the highest state organ and has 51 seats. The President leads the executive branch, while courts exercise independent judicial power. Districts and ressorts provide the main territorial framework, although many public decisions and services remain centrally managed from Paramaribo. Elections use personal voting at assigned polling stations with an approved Surinamese identity document. Since 2025, National Assembly elections use one nationwide constituency with proportional representation and preference votes; local councils are also elected, while the President and Vice President are chosen indirectly. Understanding a political issue therefore requires distinguishing the responsible institution, the level of government and the electoral process that gives officeholders their mandate.