Jules Wijdenbosch

"Wijdenbosch" redirects here. For the Surinamese politician and member of the National Assembly of Suriname, see Ruth Wijdenbosch.

Jules Wijdenbosch
7th President of Suriname
In office 15 September 1996 – 12 August 2000
Vice President	Pretaap Radhakishun
Preceded by	Ronald Venetiaan
Succeeded by	Ronald Venetiaan
2nd Vice President of Suriname
In office 7 January 1991 – 16 September 1991
President	Johan Kraag
Preceded by	Henck Arron
Succeeded by	Jules Ajodhia
Prime Minister of Suriname
In office 7 April 1987 – 26 January 1988
President	Fred Ramdat Misier
Preceded by	Pretaap Radhakishun
Succeeded by	Position abolished
6th Deputy Prime Minister of Suriname
In office 17 July 1986 – 7 April 1987
Prime Minister	Pretaap Radhakishun
Preceded by	Frank Leeflang
Succeeded by	Harry Kensmil
Personal details
Born	Jules Albert Wijdenbosch (1941-05-02)2 May 1941 Paramaribo, Surinam
Died	30 April 2025(2025-04-30) (aged 83) Paramaribo, Suriname
Party	National Democratic Party (1987–2000) Democratic National Platform 2000 (2000–2008) National Democratic Party (2008–2025)
Education	University of Amsterdam

Jules Albert Wijdenbosch (2 May 1941 – 30 April 2025) was a Surinamese politician who served as the 7th President of Suriname from 1996 to 2000. Prior to his presidency he was Prime Minister of Suriname from 1987 to 1988, and the 2nd Vice President of Suriname in 1991.

Early life

Jules Albert Wijdenbosch was born in Paramaribo on 2 May 1941. He was a trade union and youth leader and worked in a port as a customs officer. He studied political science and public administration in the University of Amsterdam. In 1975 he published a booklet titled Schets Surinaamse Republiek Eigen Stijl (Sketch of the Surinamese Republic in its own style), in which he called for the formation of a government with many councils and extensive authority for the president.

Career

Wijdenbosch was a member of the National Democratic Party, which held absolute power in Suriname during the 1980s. From 1987 to 1988, he served asPrime Minister of Suriname and held concurrent positions as minister of Home Affairs, Justice and Foreign Affairs. He was the Vice President of Suriname from January 1991 until September 1991.

From 1996 to 2000, Wijdenbosch served as president of Suriname. The Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge was constructed over the Suriname River during his presidency. He attempted to sell Suriname's state-owned oil company Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname in 1997, but was blocked by the company's management and its union.

Suriname's currency was devalued by the government in 1999, and inflation rose to 150%. A national strike broke out and Wijdenbosch's entire cabinet resigned. The 2000 election was held early due to protests against how Wijdenbosch's government handled the economy.

Death

Wijdenbosch died in Paramaribo on 30 April 2025, and was given a state funeral.

Works cited

• Singh, Chaitram (2014). "Suriname and the Limits of Consociationalism". Journal of Third World Studies. 31 (1). University Press of Florida: 131–148. doi:10.2307/45198767. JSTOR 45198767.

External links

• Appearances on C-SPAN