Jules Albert Wijdenbosch obit

Breaking: Former President Wijdenbosch Passed Away

 He was not on the list.

Former President Jules Albert Wijdenbosch has passed away. Wijdenbosch breathed his last Tuesday morning at the age of 83 in Paramaribo.

Wijdenbosch was president of Suriname between 1996 and 2000 on behalf of the National Democratic Party (NDP). His political career spanned more than forty years.

The former president was known for his outspoken style and tenacious policy. Under his leadership, among other things, the bridge over the Suriname River was built, which has since borne his name: the Jules Albert Wijdenbosch Bridge. However, his presidency was also characterized by strong criticism of financial management and economic developments, which led to early elections in 2000.

After his presidency, Wijdenbosch remained active in politics. He was known as an intellectual with strong nationalistic ideas.

Wijdenbosch began his career as a trade union leader and actively advocated for the interests of workers, with a special focus on young people. He also held the position of customs officer in the port, where he gained his first experiences in the public domain. His social involvement led him to broaden his horizons in the Netherlands, where he studied political science at the University of Amsterdam (UvA).

He served as Minister of the Interior from 1985 to 1988. His ministry began on 28 June 1985 in the Udenhout II government, where he succeeded Frank Leeflang as Minister of the Interior, District Government and Popular Mobilization. He was then responsible for the portfolio of the Interior, District Government, Popular Mobilization and Justice in the Radhakishun government from 16 July 1986 to 13 February 1987. During that period he also served as Deputy Prime Minister under Prime Minister Pretaap Radhakishun.

From 13 February 1987 he took office as Prime Minister of Suriname, whereby he also retained responsibility for the Ministry of the Interior. In addition, General Affairs, District Government and Popular Mobilization also fell under his authority. Until 7 April 1987 he was also in charge of the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs. His premiership lasted until 26 January 1988 when the Shankar government came to power.

On 25 December 1990, the Shankar government came to an abrupt end with the so-called Telephone Coup. A few days later, on 29 December, an interim government took office under the leadership of President Johan Kraag. Wijdenbosch was vice-president from 7 January to 16 September 1991 and also held the post of Minister of Finance.

His term as president was marked by political instability and protests. Despite mass protests and a vote of no confidence, he refused to step down. Only on 15 July 1999 did he agree to early elections on 25 May 2000.

The former president would have celebrated his 84th birthday on May 2.