Top political  figures from opposition parties, political parties that have no seats in parliament, influencers and even well-known local artists appear on social media to urge others to chase away promoters of the ruling coalition party VHP.

MP Cheryl Dijksteel (VHP) on Friday claimed that “the campaign against the VHP is orchestrated.” She came with this claim after several members of opposition party NDP proudly spoke about this political campaign that had been around for decades but which has been raised to a higher level via social media. These instigations that have gone viral originate from the Netherlands and Belgium and often strongly play the race card. Social media was always used as a tool to promote election violence but is has never been this strong before. “Throw big bricks at them and throw the  food parcels that they bring in their faces.” These messages have gone viral on Facebook. Some influential and prominent members of political parties often encourage these confrontations by inviting the VHP to specific neighbourhoods with comments such as “we eagerly await your arrival.”

The VHP has placed itself at a disadvantage with the unpopular economic measures that were taken by President Chandrikapersad Santokhi who also happens to be the chairman of the VHP.

Several organizations and unions have often made it clear to the Santokhi administration that the  measures that are aimed at making the economy healthy again are too heavy and that they are carried out too quickly leaving little room to breathe financially. But the government did not budge and decided to stick to its plan. Its social policy that is aimed at absorbing the shocks of its plan is also ineffective and this was confirmed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The mass calls for booing the VHP have set the stage for a dangerous political battle which could lead to uncontrolled political tensions in Suriname. These tensions could trigger reciprocity which could pose a threat to the national security.