Chairmen Since 1975
From December 1973, Emile Wijntuin was the Chairman of the States of Suriname, and remained Chairman of Parliament after Independence, until it was dissolved in August 1980.
After the elections in 1987, Jagernath Lachmon (VHP) became Chairman, an office which he already had taken twice in the States of Suriname. Lachmon resigned in 1996, because he could not agree with the Wijdenbosch government.
On October 10, 1996 Marijke Djwalapersad (BVD) was elected as Chair, becoming the first woman in Suriname's history to assume this office. On Juli 24, 2000 Djwalapersad was succeeded by Jagernath Lachmon, who remained in office until his death in 2001. His fellow party man Ramdien Sardjoe took his place.
After the elections of 2005, Paul Somohardjo of Pertjajah Luhur (a party that was part of the New Front combination) wanted to become vice president of Suriname. This did not seem feasible, since he was convicted in August 2003 for defamation, which resulted in a suspended two-month sentence and his removal as minister. Within the coalition was decided to make Ramdien Sardjoe vice president and Somohardjo Chairman of the National Assembly.
On June 30, 2005 Somohardjo was elected to the proposed office with 29 out of 50 votes. Caprino Allendy (BEP/A Combination) was elected as vice-Chairman, with the same number of votes.
On June 30, 2010 Jennifer Simons of NDP/MC surprisingly won the elections from Somohardjo, with 26 votes against 24 votes, and became the incumbent Chair of the Assembly. Ruth Wijdenbosch was elected as Vice Chair with 25 votes, 1 more than her rival, Anton Paal (PALU/MC). Remarkable is the fact that this is the first time that these offices are held by opposing politicians. It is also the first time that both these offices are held by women.
Read more about this topic: National Assembly Of Suriname