Suriname

B

Communications

In 1998 Suriname had 2 daily newspapers—De West and De Ware Tijd—and several radio and television stations, including both commercial and state-run operations. There are about 300,000 radios, 110,000 televisions, and 53,158 telephones.

V

Government

Until 1980 Suriname was governed under a constitution adopted in 1975. The government was headed by a popularly elected president, a council of ministers, and a unicameral parliament. Following a coup d’état in 1980, the constitution was suspended, the parliament was dissolved, and the Policy Centre, a council dominated by the military, began ruling by decree. A new constitution, adopted by referendum in 1987, established a 51-member National Assembly with the power to select the president. The members are elected by universal suffrage and serve five-year terms.

A

Political Parties

Seats at the most recent election were won by the New Front for Democracy (NF; Nieuwe Front Voor Democratie), made up from a combination of various parties, including the National Party of Suriname (NPS; Nationale Partij Suriname), Progressive Reform Party (VHP; Vooruitstrevende Hervormingspartij), and Pertjajah Luhur (PL); the National Democratic Party (NDP; Nationale Democratische Partij); the People’s Alliance for Progress (VVV; Volksalliantie Voor Vooruitgang); A-Com; and A1.

B

Health and Welfare

Modern medical services are available in the urban areas but are basic in the interior, and often run by religious organizations. Life expectancy at birth is 70.5 years for men and 76.1 years for women (2007). In 2007 the infant mortality rate was 20.1 per 1,000 live births, and there were 2,222 people for every doctor (2004). The government spent 2.88 per cent of the national budget on health in 1990.

C

Defence

In 2004 the total strength of Suriname’s army was 1,400. The navy personnel numbered 240 and the air force 200.