Suriname Elections Underway

Elections are underway in Suriname, South America's smallest independent nation. Voters of the former Dutch colony will be electing 51 members of parliament, choosing between 25 political parties, 15 of which are running in a coalition, with the winning party selecting the country's president. President Desi Bouterse's National Democratic Party currently has a one seat majority in the National Assembly. Many observers expect the party to increase its majority, fueled by the country's recent economic growth. The opposition V7 Alliance is expected to obtain 19 seats, running on a platform of strengthening the rule of law and improving relations with The Netherlands, the former colonial power. teleSUR