🇸🇷 Suriname
RepublicElectoral democracy
Jennifer Geerlings-Simons
President · 458 days in office
How the political system works in Suriname
Suriname is governed as a republic. Its president, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, has led the country since Jul 16, 2025. Suriname has had 10 presidents since 1975. Under the Regimes of the World classification, it counts as an electoral democracy.
Tenure records
Longest-serving
Ronald Venetiaan
5,478 days · 2 terms
Shortest-serving
Johan Kraag
261 days
Average tenure
1,829 days
Jennifer Geerlings-Simons: 75% below average
Female leaders
1 of 10
First: Jennifer Geerlings-Simons (2025)
Recent presidents by days in office
Is a leader's tenure getting longer or shorter in Suriname?
Across 10 completed terms, the average president of Suriname has served 1,829 days (about 5.0 years). Terms are getting longer: the last five completed terms averaged 2,469 days.
One completed term Average tenure per decade
All presidents of Suriname
| # | Name | Took office | Left office | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 |  Jennifer Geerlings-Simons | Jul 6, 2025 | Incumbent | 468 |
| 10 |  Chan Santokhi | Jul 16, 2020 | Jul 6, 2025 | 1,816 |
| 9 |  Desi Bouterse | Aug 12, 2010 | Jul 16, 2020 | 3,626 |
| 8 |  Ronald Venetiaan | Aug 12, 2000 | Aug 12, 2010 | 3,652 |
| 7 |  Jules Wijdenbosch | Sep 15, 1996 | Aug 12, 2000 | 1,427 |
| 6 | Ronald Venetiaan | Sep 16, 1991 | Sep 15, 1996 | 1,826 |
| 5 |  Johan Kraag | Dec 29, 1990 | Sep 16, 1991 | 261 |
| 4 |  Ramsewak Shankar | Jan 25, 1988 | Dec 24, 1990 | 1,064 |
| 3 |  Fred Ramdat Misier | Feb 1, 1982 | Feb 1, 1988 | 2,191 |
| 2 |  Henk Chin A Sen | Mar 5, 1980 | Feb 4, 1982 | 701 |
| 1 |  Johan Ferrier | Nov 25, 1975 | Aug 13, 1980 | 1,723 |
Officeholder history via Wikidata. Multiple rows for one person indicate separate terms.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is the President of Suriname?
- Jennifer Geerlings-Simons has been President of Suriname since Jul 16, 2025.
- How is the leader of Suriname chosen?
- Suriname is governed as a republic. Its president, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, has led the country since Jul 16, 2025. Suriname has had 10 presidents since 1975. Under the Regimes of the World classification, it counts as an electoral democracy.
- Who is the longest-serving President of Suriname?
- Ronald Venetiaan, with 5,478 days in office across 2 terms.
- Are leaders serving longer or shorter terms in Suriname?
- Across 10 completed terms, the average president of Suriname has served 1,829 days (about 5.0 years). Terms are getting longer: the last five completed terms averaged 2,469 days.
- Has Suriname ever had a female president?
- Yes. Suriname has had 1 female president. The first was Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, who took office in 2025.