Progressive Reform Party
Vooruitstrevende Hervormings Partij (Dutch)
वूरुइत्स्त्रेवेन्दे हेर्वोर्मिङ्स पर्तिज (Sarnami Hindustani)
AbbreviationVHP
ChairmanChan Santokhi
FoundedJanuary 1949
Merger of
    • Muslim Party
    • Hindostaans-Javaanse Political Party
    • Surinamese Hindu Party
IdeologySocial democracy
Third Way
Civic nationalism
Progressivism
Historical:
Indo-Surinamese civil rights
Javanese Surinamese civil rights
Minority religious rights
Political positionCentre to centre-left
Seats in the National Assembly
20 / 51
Website
http://www.vhp.sr/

The Progressive Reform Party (Dutch: Vooruitstrevende Hervormings Partij, VHP; Sarnami Hindustani: वूरुइत्स्त्रेवेन्दे हेर्वोर्मिङ्स पर्तिज or प्रगतिशील सुधार दल, Pragatisheel Sudhaar Dal),[lower-alpha 1] is a political party in Suriname. It was originally founded in January 1949 as a merger of three parties to represent the Indo-Surinamese community. The party occupies a position straddling the political centre and centre-left, advocating for a combination of social-democratic and social-liberal policies under the Third Way philosophy. During the party's history it frequently allied itself with the National Party of Suriname (NPS) that historically represented the Afro-Surinamese community.

Chan Santokhi is the chairman of the party since 3 July 2011. The VHP is a multi-ethnic party and is primarily supported by Indo-Surinamese. Previous chairman Ram Sardjoe holds the title of honorary chairman. After the 2020 parliamentary elections, the Progressive Reform Party is the biggest political party in Suriname. Chan Santokhi became the new President of Suriname.[1]

The party has been part of seven government coalitions, in the periods of: 1958–1963 (5 years), 1963–1967 (4 years), 1969–1973 (4 years), 1987–1991 (4 years), 1991–1996 (5 years), 2000–2005 (5 years) and 2005–2010 (5 years); a total of 32 years. In 2020, the party formed a coalition government with the General Liberation and Development Party led by Ronnie Brunswijk, the new Vice President of Suriname.[2]

Representation

1949

1951

1955

  • J. Lachmon
  • H.S. Radakushun
  • H.F. Sewberath Misser
  • J.S. Mungra
  • K. Kanhai
  • R.D. Oedayrajsing Varma

1958

  • J. Lachmon
  • H. Mungra
  • H.S. Radakushun
  • M. Ramdjan

1963

  • J.H. Adhin
  • J. Lachmon
  • B. Laigsingh
  • L. Mungra
  • R.M. Nannan Panday
  • D. Sathoe
  • H. Shriemisier

Electoral results

Election No. of

overall seats won

 Votes +/– Rank Government
1949
6 / 21
 Increase 6 2nd Opposition
1951
6 / 21
 Steady 0 2nd Opposition
1955
6 / 21
 Steady 0 2nd Opposition
1958
4 / 21
 Decrease 2 2nd Coalition
1963
8 / 36
 Increase 4 2nd Coalition
1967
11 / 39
 Increase 3 2nd Opposition
1969
19 / 39
 Increase 6 1st Coalition
1973
16 / 39
 Decrease 1 2nd Opposition
1977
13 / 39
 Decrease 3 2nd Opposition
1987
14 / 51
 Increase 1 2nd Coalition
1991
8 / 51
 Decrease 5 2nd Coalition
1996
9 / 51
4 / 51
(*after BVD defection)		 Increase 1

Decrease 5

 3rd Opposition
2000
8 / 51
 Decrease 1 2nd Coalition
2005
7 / 51
 Decrease 1 2nd Coalition
2010
8 / 51
 Increase 1 2nd Paramaribo: 2 (of 17)
Wanica: 3 (of 7)
Nickerie: 1 (of 5)
Commewijne: 1 (of 4)
Saramacca: 1 (of 3)		 Opposition
2015
9 / 51
 55,276 Increase 1 2nd Paramaribo: 2 (of 17) Steady 0
Wanica: 3 (of 7) Steady 0
Nickerie: 2 (of 5) Increase1
Commewijne: 1 (of 4) Steady 0
Saramacca: 1 (of 3) Steady 0		 Opposition
2020
20 / 51
 108,378 Increase 11 1st Paramaribo: 7 (of 17) Increase 5
Wanica: 5 (of 7) Increase 2
Nickerie: 4 (of 5) Increase 2
Commewijne: 2 (of 4) Increase 1
Saramacca: 2 (of 3) Increase 1		 Coalition

Chairmen

The party has had four chairmen since its founding:[3]

Notes

  1. ↑ formerly known as the United Hindustani Party (Dutch: Verenigde Hindoestaanse Partij; Sarnami Hindustani: संयुक्त हिंदुस्तानी पार्टी, Samyukt Hindustani Party; 1949–August 1966) and the Vatan Hitkari Party (English: Party for the Promotion of National Welfare; Dutch: Partij ter Bevordering van het Nationale Welzijn, Sarnami Hindustani: वतन हितकारी पार्टी, Vatan Hitkari Party; August 1966 – 1973)

References

  1. ↑ "Suriname election: Convicted murderer Dési Bouterse is replaced by ex-police chief". BBC News. 14 July 2020.
  2. ↑ "Suriname election: Convicted murderer Dési Bouterse is replaced by ex-police chief". BBC News. 14 July 2020.
  3. ↑ "Voorzitters van de VHP" (PDF). Ramdien Sardjoe. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  4. ↑ "Familie Lachmon plaatst bloemstuk bij standbeeld". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 June 2020.
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