Coalition talks in Suriname

The political party of Suriname’s former dictator says it is close to teaming up with another party to form a coalition government.



Desi Bouterse’s Mega Combination won 23 of the parliament’s 51 seats in last week’s election.



An agreement with the smaller party, the People’s Alliance, would give the grouping a majority, but not the two-thirds it needs to name a president.



The coalition efforts are being closely monitored, because it is believed that Mr Bouterse, a convicted drug trafficker, could use his enhanced political power to make a bid for the presidency.



Holland has already said it will not welcome him as president, because he is a fugitive from Dutch justice.