← 2005 July 19, 2010 69.23% 30.77% | 36 16 Start date July 19, 2010 | |
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Winner Dési Bouterse | ||
An indirect presidential election was held in Suriname on 19 July 2010 following the legislative election. If the National Assembly of Suriname twice fails to elect a new president with a two-thirds majority, the election will go to the People's Assembly of Suriname, composed of members of parliament, district and provincial councils, where a simple majority suffices.
A first vote was expected on 8 July 2010, but only procedural issues were discussed at the meeting; the election was set for 19 July 2010 on the following day.
Shortly before the election, former dictator Dési Bouterse succeeded in establishing a coalition with the A Combinatie and the People's Alliance, giving him the votes required for the presidential election. As expected, he gained 36 votes against Chandrikapersad Santokhi's 13 votes; he was sworn in on 12 August 2010.