Suriname: BVD merges with the NDP

The Basispartij voor Vernieuwing en Democratie (BVD or Basic Party for Renewal and Democracy) is to merge with President Desiré Delano "Dési" Bouterse's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) and ceases to function as independent political party. The BVD was founded in 1996 by a group of dissident members of the fellow Indian ethnic Vooruitstrevende Hervormingspartij (VHP or Progressive Reform Party). In the last few years, the BVD has been chaired by Dillip Sardjoe, one of the country's richest and most influential businessman. The BVD planned to participate in the 2010 general election as part of the NDP coalition but, because of internal differences of opinion, it did not do so and won no seats. The relationship between Sardjoe and Bouterse has, however, significantly improved since the latter's electoral victory. Sardjoe needs the president to realise his business plans, and Bouterse uses Sardjoe's knowledge and skills to outline his policies.

With the merger, Bouterse has increased the NDP's Indian electorate, which is very important because his biggest rival in the 2015 elections will almost certainly be Chandrikapersad Santokhi's VHP. Although the NDP has been Suriname's first non-ethnic party, and Bouterse condemns ethnic politics, he also knows that the political reality is that the majority of Suriname's population vote on ethnic lines.

Bouterse has also said that he expects that Progressieve Arbeiders- en Landbouwersunie (PALU or Progressive Labourers and Farmers Union), which is also currently part of the ruling coalition but won no seats in the 2010 election, will eventually cease to exist and will merge with the NDP. “But that day will come”, said Bouterse.

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