Opposition loses parliamentary seat

Suriname’s National Assembly has declared vacant the seat that had been held by Opposition Leader Desi Bouterse, due to his prolonged absence from Parliament.



Speaker of the House, Paul Somohardjo, sent Bouterse a letter late yesterday afternoon informing him that his membership had been terminated.



The Constitution states that a lawmaker’s membership of the National Assembly ends when he or she has been absent for five consecutive months.



Records show that Bouterse, a former military commander, has been absent from parliamentary debate since December 1, 2007.



Somohardjo also met with President Ronald Venetiaan to brief him on the matter, while the Independent Election Bureau was notified to take the necessary steps to appoint a successor for the vacant seat.



Since the issue was raised last week, Bouterse contended that his absence from Parliament was in protest against alleged discrimination he had been facing from the coalition government.

Bouterse has been barred from participating in the Defence Committee since 2005.