Progressive Reform Party (Suriname)

The Progressive Reform Party (Dutch: Vooruitstrevende Hervormingspartij, VHP), formerly known as the "United Hindustani Party" (Dutch: Verenigde Hindoestaanse Partij; 1949–August 1966) and the "Vatan Hitkari Party" (English: Party for the Promotion of National Welfare, Dutch: Partij ter Bevordering van het Nationale Welzijn; August 1966–1973), 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.

Progressive Reform Party

Vooruitstrevende Hervormingspartij
AbbreviationVHP
ChairmanChan Santokhi
FoundedJanuary 1949
Merger ofMuslim Party
Hindostaans-Javaanse Political Party
Surinamese Hindu Party
IdeologySocial democracy
Third Way
Social liberalism
Historical:
Indo-Surinamese interests
Political positionCentre to centre-left
Seats in the National Assembly
20 / 51
Website
http://www.vhp.sr/

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. According to current statistics, the Progressive Reform Party is the second biggest political party in Suriname (with Dési Bouterse's National Democratic Party being number one).[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.

Electoral results
Election No. of

overall seats won

 +/– Rank Government
1949
6 / 21
 6 2nd Opposition
1951
6 / 21
 0 2nd Opposition
1955
6 / 21
 0 2nd Opposition
1958
4 / 21
 2 2nd Coalition
1963
8 / 36
 4 2nd Coalition
1967
11 / 39
 3 2nd Opposition
1969
19 / 39
 6 1st Coalition
1973
16 / 39
 1 2nd Opposition
1977
13 / 39
 3 2nd Opposition
1987
14 / 51
 1 2nd Coalition
1991
9 / 51
 5 2nd Coalition
1996
9 / 51
 0 3rd Opposition
2000
10 / 51
 1 2nd Coalition
2005
7 / 51
 3 2nd Coalition
2010
8 / 51
 1 2nd Opposition
2015
9 / 51
 1 2nd Opposition
2020
20 / 51
 11 1st Coalition

List of Chairmen of the Progressive Reform Party[2]
  • 16 January 1949 - 18 October 2001: Jagernath Lachmon [3]
  • 19 October 2001 - 23 December 2001: Jnan Adhin
  • 23 December 2001 - 3 July 2011: Ramdien Sardjoe
  • 3 July 2011 - present: Chan Santokhi

References
  1. http://www.dewest-online.com/?p=15457
  2. "Voorzitters van de VHP" (PDF). Ramdien Sardjoe. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  3. "Familie Lachmon plaatst bloemstuk bij standbeeld". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 June 2020.
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