Suriname’s parliament has elected Dr Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as the country’s first female president, as the South American nation faces ongoing economic challenges and prepares for future oil revenues.

Geerlings-Simons, a physician and long-time congresswoman, was elected unopposed on Sunday after her party, the National Democratic Party, formed a coalition to replace outgoing President Chandrikapersad Santokhi. She will be sworn in on 16 July.

“I am aware that the heavy task I have taken on is further aggravated by the fact that I am the first woman to serve the country in this position,” she said following the vote.

Her five-year term begins at a time of public discontent. Though Santokhi’s government secured macroeconomic gains and restructured public debt with the help of the International Monetary Fund, the austerity measures led to widespread protests.

Suriname is expecting its first offshore oil production by 2028, but Geerlings-Simons said her immediate focus will be on stabilising state finances. She and her vice president-elect, Gregory Rusland, said they will prioritise better tax collection, especially in the gold-mining sector.

Economists warn the new government faces a difficult road ahead. The country owes around $400 million annually in loan repayments and interest.

“Suriname does not have that money,” said Winston Ramautarsingh, former head of the country’s Association of Economists. “The previous government rescheduled the debts, but that was only a postponement.”

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