Democracy, corruption and
the parliamentary system
(Republic of Suriname)
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| Translation "Starnieuws" Article: http://www.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/18269; 20 Jul, 10:00 |
Dear citizens of Suriname!
Is it you haven't noticed that the hybrid political system does not correspond to our democratic aspirations? We have a majority in opinion of politicians in 1987 accepted a Constitution which to date to shambles and accordingly many ' messy ' and ambiguities present in various areas of society. This is partly as a result of the lack of an explanatory memorandum, but also because of the not formulating the material laws to which some articles refer. Would you agree with me that this hybrid system is partly to the increased debit form of corruption on various ministries or elsewhere in governmental body occurs?
DNA: Assembly as the highest organ!
In the Constitution in article 55 paragraph 2 is clearly indicated that the National Assembly is the highest organ of the State. This highest State organ represents the people of the Republic of Suriname and brings the sovereign will of the nation. This body must, among other things, Government policy keys and assessment on behalf of the people. There is, in my view, little has been done by DNA (the National Assembly) to express the sovereign will. On the contrary, a great deal of space provided to other State bodies that are accountable to DNA in order to commit acts which in many cases are not transparent. I find that the Constitution is certainly in the field of the political system should be radically changed. Incidentally, I have also raised this in previous articles.
Suriname is, in my view, better served by a purely parliamentary system for the following reasons:
- A corrupt cabinet can interim by a simple majority by means of a vote of no confidence be sent home
- The ministers are jointly liable for the policy that they perform and are accordingly directly accountable to DNA. Individual ministers can, by means of a vote of no confidence by a simple majority are sent home. Of course, it should go in advance, an extensive debate on the policy of that Minister.
- The appointment and dismissal of ministers becomes more transparent. In each case will prevent informal structures interfere with the nomination and dismissal policies of the president
- The State Leadership (symbol of the nation) is disconnected from the Government or political leader
- Also can DNA through a vote of no confidence in the head of Government (Prime Minister) send home by a simple majority
I appeal for reintroducing the pure parliamentary system in Suriname. This means that the Constitution of 1987, last amended in 1992, must be taken back by the people. I think we need to think about this seriously, we want to further develop the democratic experience, but even more to the corruption in the Government to reduce to the absolute minimum. Finally, I call on all Suriname citizens to seriously think about this kind of macro issues and not about to let this to a small select group.
send in by Bert Eersteling on July 20th, 2013
