PARAMARIBO – President Chandrikapersad Santokhi will appoint a new minister of Home Affairs (BIZA) after he returns from his next foreign trip. “There are several issues that must be addressed within the government regarding the appointment of a new minister and that will not be solved quickly. When the president returns somewhere after next week a new minister will be appointed immediately,” Jason Saiman, spokesman of the president, told Times of Suriname. For now the Ministry of Home Affairs that is tasked with organising the elections will be run by the minister of Labor, Employment and Youth Affairs, Steven Mac Andrew.

 “The highest officials within the government are looking at various proposals regarding the appointment of a new minister. The government therefore will not make any hasty decision regarding this matter. No new person will be appointed during the absence of the president. The acting president may not make a decision on his own without the consent of the president. It will take a little longer but a new minister can only be appointed when the president is back,” said  Saiman…[+]