Jennifer Geerlings-Simons to lead the impoverished Latin American country through crisis before oil wealth arrives.
Suriname has elected Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as its first female president, with parliament backing the 71-year-old physician and lawmaker to lead the crisis-hit South American nation.
Her election came after a coalition deal was struck in the National Assembly, which voted by a two-thirds majority on Sunday.
The move followed inconclusive May polls and mounting pressure to replace outgoing President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, whose tenure was marred by corruption scandals and harsh austerity.
Geerlings-Simons, leader of the National Democratic Party, ran unopposed and will take office on July 16.
