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World

First count shows Desi Bouterse's party obtains majority in Suriname

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Suriname President Desi Bouterse greets supporters as he leaves a polling station, after casting his ballot in the general election, in Paramaribo, Suriname, Monday, May 25, 2015. Bouterse is betting that Monday's election to choose the South American country's next Parliament will keep him and his party in power for another five years. (AP Photo/Ertugrul Kilic) (The Associated Press)

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    In this Saturday, May 23, 2015 photo, National Democratic Party (NDP) supporters gather for a campaign rally in Paramaribo, Suriname. General elections were held on Monday, May 25, 2015, to choose a new Parliament. Recent polls gave a comfortable majority to the NDP, the South American country's ruling party. (AP Photo/Ertugrul Kilic) (The Associated Press)

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    National Democratic Party (NDP) officers help a voter at a polling station in Paramaribo, Suriname, Monday, May 25, 2015. General elections were held on Monday to choose a new Parliament. Recent polls gave a comfortable majority to the NDP, the South American country's ruling party. (AP Photo/Ertugrul Kilic) (The Associated Press)

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – Preliminary results show that the party of former military dictator Desi Bouterse has obtained the majority of Parliament seats in the South American country of Suriname.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that Bouterse's National Democratic Party obtained 26 of 51 seats in Parliament. Officials said the main opposition V7 alliance party led by former Justice Minister Chan Santokhi obtained 17 seats in Monday's general election.

Bouterse now needs a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament to be re-elected president.

Bouterse is a two-time coup leader and former dictator accused of executing 15 political opponents in 1982. He also was convicted in absentia in the Netherlands in 1999 on drug trafficking charges. Bouterse later was democratically elected in 2010 amid widespread discontent with Suriname's economy.