Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, born Jennifer Simons on September 5, 1953, in Paramaribo, Suriname, is a prominent Surinamese politician and a medical doctor. Her extensive political career has been mostly marked by a significant tenure in the National Assembly and most recently by her ascent to the presidency.
Geerlings-Simons began her political journey in 1996 when she was first elected as a member of the National Assembly, representing the Paramaribo district, the nation’s capital. She was reelected multiple times, serving as a Member of Parliament until 2020. During this period, she held the position of Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Suriname for two terms, from 2010 to 2020, making her the second woman to hold this significant role. She also served as one of the vice-chairpersons of the National Democratic Party (NDP). She was the leader of the party’s parliamentary faction from 2000 to 2006.
After announcing her retirement from politics in 2020. On July 13, 2024, she succeeded controversial Dési Bouterse former president and convicted drug trafficker, as the leader of the National Democratic Party. His death on December 23, 2024, placed her at the forefront of Surinamese politics leading into the May 25, 2025, general elections.
Following the May 2025 elections, in which no single party secured an outright majority, Geerlings-Simons’ National Democratic Party (NDP) emerged with the most seats (18). Demonstrating her leadership, on May 27, 2025, just two days after the elections, she swiftly formed a six-party coalition. This coalition, which formally ratified its agreement on June 1, 2025, commands 34 of the 51 parliamentary seats, providing the two-thirds majority required to elect the president. Consequently, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons became Suriname’s first female president.
In her personal life, Jennifer Simons married Glenn Geerlings in 1981, and they have three children. She has been described as a strategic and disciplined leader, often characterized by her measured approach rather than emotional appeals. Her political platform, particularly as the leader of the NDP, centers on an economy that serves all citizens. She advocates for increased social spending and a more equitable distribution of the country’s wealth, especially considering the significant recent offshore oil discoveries.
Geerlings-Simons emphasizes the need for honest and effective governance, improved economic and fiscal management, and greater transparency. Her stated priorities for investment include crucial sectors such as education, healthcare, local production, infrastructure, and tourism, all aimed at fostering sustainable growth and improving the living standards for all Surinamers. She also supports local content laws to ensure Surinamese businesses and products benefit from economic activities, warning that without strict oversight, wealth could be concentrated among a few, leaving the majority behind.
