👨‍⚖️ Brunswijk not satisfied with new vice ministers

Happy Monday!

This week we cover the controversy around the new ministers and vice ministers in government and rising tensions between political parties ABOP and PL.

Landvreugd, Hassankhan and Ramsukul now part of government

• President Chan Santokhi swore in Delano Landvreugd as Minister of the Domestic Affairs (BIZA), with Maurits Hassankhan and Sieuw Ramsukul appointed as deputy ministers for Domestic Affairs and Land Policy and Forest Management (GBB), respectively.

• The president emphasized the dedication and experience of the appointees, highlighting their ability to accelerate government work, particularly Hassankhan’s expertise in election management.

• Former minister Bronto Somohardjo was thanked for his efforts in streamlining the civil service, with gratitude expressed for his contributions.

• Coalition consultations, involving Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk and PL chairman Paul Somohardjo, resolved disagreements to prioritize collective interests, although Somohardjo did not attend the ceremony.

• The president urged careful handling of issues surrounding Somohardjo’s office and called for cabinet and National Assembly support for the new appointees.

Brunswijk: There is 1 boss at the ministry of GBB

• Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk stated that there are no issues with appointing a deputy minister for Land Policy and Forest Management (GBB) as long as agreements are adhered to, emphasizing that Minister Dinotha Vorswijk retains final responsibility.

• Deputy Minister Sieuw Ramsukul, already the department’s director, will continue his work on land issues, supporting documents from the President's Office but without signing authority.

• President Chan Santokhi aims to resolve all land-related issues by the end of the year, with the deputy minister's role created to expedite this process.

• Discussions with coalition partners led to the decision to fill the ministerial post at Home Affairs, with Paul Somohardjo of Pertjajah Luhur advised to find a suitable expert for the position.

• Brunswijk mentioned that Somohardjo described the situation as "not trading a Ferrari for a bicycle," indicating the importance of appointing a competent candidate.

• Minister Delano Landvreugd described his role as joining a "moving train," emphasizing teamwork and addressing challenges efficiently within the ministry.

• Deputy Minister Maurits Hassankhan highlighted the need for urgent decisions on election-related issues, such as ballot paper sizes, to maintain Suriname's strong election reputation.

• A follow-up discussion among coalition leaders was agreed upon after the swearing-in ceremony to address remaining concerns and ensure smooth cooperation.

ABOP Rejects Presidential Decrees; issues postponed until today

• A closer reading of the Presidential decree shows that Minister Dinotha Vorswijk of GBB has been placed under political "curatorship," requiring deputy minister Sieuw Ramsukul to initial all land-related decisions before she can sign them.

• Vorswijk’s absence at the swearing-in of deputy ministers and Minister Delano Landvreugd drew attention amid ongoing tensions.

• Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk affirmed that the minister remains the final authority, but ABOP members oppose appointing a deputy minister at GBB due to constitutional concerns.

• Ramsukul is tasked with overseeing land allocation policies, resolving land issues, addressing citizen complaints, and inventorying overdue land applications.

• After the ceremony, ABOP leadership held an emergency meeting rejecting the Presidential Decrees that defined the powers of deputy ministers Ramsukul and Maurits Hassankhan, citing constitutional conflicts.

• The decrees were deemed incompatible with Article 124 of the Constitution and existing land reform laws, raising legal and procedural issues.

• A legal team has been assigned to review the Presidential Decrees and provide recommendations, with a final decision expected from the government leadership on Monday.

• ABOP insists that the president adhere to prior agreements regarding deputy ministerial appointments and their scope of authority.

Rising tensions between ABOP and PL leadership

• Pertjajah Luhur (PL) will remain in the coalition with VHP but sever ties with ABOP chairman Ronnie Brunswijk due to worsening relations. In exchange for losing the Home Affairs post, PL may appoint two deputy ministers.

• President Chan Santokhi and PL chairman Paul Somohardjo met to discuss these changes, with the PL expected to nominate a deputy minister for Social Affairs & Housing and possibly another for a VHP-led ministry.

• Brunswijk strongly opposed PL’s proposed deputy minister for Social Affairs, asserting that no PL member would hold a deputy position in ministries under ABOP leadership.

• PL celebrated its 26th anniversary with President Santokhi affirming the decision to allow PL to appoint deputy ministers to maintain coalition unity.

• PL leader Bronto Somohardjo criticized Brunswijk during a party meeting, accusing him of being unreliable and expressing discontent over PL's diminished role in government.

• Somohardjo highlighted broken promises from the president, particularly regarding the Home Affairs ministry, but acknowledged the president’s apology and request for continued coalition cooperation.

• The president offered deputy ministerial positions to compensate for losing the Home Affairs post, urging PL leaders to temper their rhetoric.

• Despite tensions, Somohardjo reluctantly accepted the party’s decision to remain in government while reiterating PL’s refusal to concede to Brunswijk’s demands or join ABOP/PL initiatives.