Jennifer Geerlings-Simons

Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, born on September fifth, nineteen fifty-three, is a prominent Surinamese politician and former physician. She has made history as the eleventh president of Suriname, a position she has held since July sixteenth, twenty twenty-five. A dedicated member of the National Democratic Party (NDP), she has also served as the party's president since twenty twenty-four.

Geerlings-Simons began her professional journey in the medical field, specializing as a dermatologist and contributing significantly to the National HIV/AIDS program. Her transition into politics began in nineteen ninety-six when she was elected to the National Assembly during the general elections, marking the start of a remarkable political career.

In the aftermath of the two thousand ten general elections, she was elected chairperson of the National Assembly, a role she held until twenty twenty. This achievement made her the second woman to occupy this influential position in Suriname's political landscape.

Following the passing of Dési Bouterse, Geerlings-Simons ascended to the presidency of the National Democratic Party in July twenty twenty-four. Her leadership proved pivotal in the general elections held on May twenty-fifth, twenty twenty-five, where she successfully led the party to a first-place plurality. Subsequently, she was elected president on July sixth, twenty twenty-five, becoming the first female president in the history of Suriname.