Jennifer Geerlings-Simons Explained

Office:Leader of the National Democratic Party
Term Start:13 July 2024
Predecessor:Dési Bouterse
Office1:Chairperson of the National Assembly of Suriname
Term Start1:30 June 2010
Term End1:28 June 2020
Predecessor1:Paul Somohardjo
Successor1:Ronnie Brunswijk
Office2:Member of the National Assembly
Term Start2:1996
Term End2:2020
Constituency2:Paramaribo District
Birth Name:Jennifer Simons
Birth Date:5 September 1953
Birth Place:Paramaribo, Suriname
Nationality:Surinamese
Party:National Democratic Party
Spouse:Glenn Geerlings (1981-)
Children:3
Residence:Paramaribo
Alma Mater:Anton de Kom University of Suriname (Drs.)

Jennifer Geerlings-Simons (Simons; born 5 September 1953 in Paramaribo[1]) is a Surinamese politician. On 30 June 2010, she was elected as Chairperson of the National Assembly of Suriname with 26 out of 50 votes. Simons is the second female chairman of the Surinamese Parliament. She was re-elected on 30 June 2015.[2] In 2024, she became the leader of the National Democratic Party.[3]

Biography

Simons was first elected as a member of the National Assembly in 1996, representing the district of Paramaribo. She served as one of the vice-chairpersons of the National Democratic Party, which was founded by Dési Bouterse. She was leader of the parliamentary fraction from 2000 until 2006.

In April 2012, Simons was accused by the opposition in the parliament of dictatorial behaviour because of her decision to forbid members of the parliament from referring to the amnesty law of April 2012 during a debate on the anti-stalking law.[4]

On 8 April 2020, the Law Exceptional Condition COVID-19 (State of Emergency) has been approved by the National Assembly in order to fight against the coronavirus pandemic.[5] The State of Emergency will go into effect for three months unless the National Assembly one-off extends the duration for another three months.[6] Simons was appointed to lead the Parliamentary COVID-19 Crisis Management Team.[7]

On 20 June 2020, Simons announced her retirement from politics. She had been elected in the 2020 Surinamese general election, but has decided not to take her seat. Stephen Tsang who was on 6th place on the NDP list, is now eligible for the National Assembly.[8]

On 13 July 2024, she succeeded Dési Bouterse as the leader of the National Democratic Party.[3]

Personal life

In 1981, Simons married Glenn Geerlings. They have 3 children.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: H.E. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons – Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament.
  2. Web site: Geerlings-Simons herkozen als voorzitter met 1 stem uit oppositie . Dutch . De Surinaamse Krant . 15 July 2015 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044729/http://www.de-surinaamse-krant.com/2015/06/geerlings-simons-herkozen-als.html . dead .
  3. Web site: Jennifer Simons gekozen tot nieuwe voorzitter NDP . Waterkant.net. 14 July 2024. 16 July 2024. nl.
  4. Web site: Nieuw Front in het geweer tegen dictatuur in Suriname . Waterkant.Net . 2011-11-23 . 2016-07-14.
  5. News: Law Exceptional Condition Covid 19 has been approved (in Dutch). 8 April 2020. Suriname Herald.
  6. News: Law Exceptional Condition (pdf in Dutch). Foundation for Law in Suriname (SRiS). 8 April 2020. 29 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200729003835/https://www.sris.sr/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Ontwerpwet-Uitzonderingstoestand-COVID-19.pdf. dead.
  7. News: Law Exceptional Condition after heavy debate and marathonsessions approved dna (in Dutch). United News. 8 April 2020.
  8. News: Jennifer Simons neemt na 24 jaar afscheid van DNA. Star Nieuws. 21 June 2020. nl.