Wijntuin Uses Parliamentary Trick to Create Quorum, Sparking Opposition Protests

Ruling coalition bypasses blockade; President Ferrier intervenes to restore proper procedure.

Date: August 1979

Parliamentary Trick to Achieve Quorum Leads to Protests

Details:

  • In an August 1979 meeting, Parliamentary Chairman Wijntuin used a "trick" to bypass the opposition's blockade.
  • He allowed Zalmijn's successor, Maximiliaan Koorndijk, to participate as the 20th member to create a quorum, and then in the same meeting, Koorndijk was admitted as the 39th member of parliament.
  • This led to protests from opposition members Albertine Liesdek-Clarke (who began a prayer fast) and Henk Herrenberg (who started a hunger and thirst strike in the parliament's coffee room).
  • President Ferrier intervened, stating he would not open the session unless things were done "richtig" (properly), which led to a compromise: the opposition would grant quorum, and Koorndijk would be admitted through the correct procedure.

Significance:

  • This event showcases the extreme measures being taken by both the ruling coalition and the opposition, further illustrating the breakdown of normal democratic processes.
  • The direct intervention of President Ferrier was required to resolve the standoff, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
  • The protest actions by Clarke and Herrenberg demonstrate the intensity of the opposition's resistance.

Source:

REVO KRANT: EEN AANZET OM DE GESCHIEDENIS VAN DE REVOLUTIE VAST TE LEGGEN. “40 Revo: Dag Der Bevrijding En Vernieuwing.” February 24, 2020. (Text provided by user).

Link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/njjfdb0hhjajqoacwl3fz/Rapport-Surinaamse-Leger-1980-1983.pdf

Internal Link:

Date:
August 1, 1979
Categories:
Desi Bouterse, Diplomacy, Log, Matthew Smith, Military & Intel, Politics, Research, The Suriname Archive, U.S. Interventions
Tags:
Political Crisis, Press, Protest
Boxes:
MW Zotero
Years:
1979
Persons:
Clarke Albertine Liesdek, Henk Herrenberg, Johan Ferrier, Maximiliaan Koorndijk, Walter Zalmijn, Wijntuin
META DATA
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