# Progressive Reform Party (Suriname)

The Progressive Reform Party (Dutch: Vooruitstrevende Hervormings Partij, VHP; Sarnami Hindustani: वूरुइत्स्त्रेवेन्दे हेर्वोर्मिङ्स पर्तिज or प्रगतिशील सुधार दल, Pragatisheel Sudhaar Dal), 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.
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. After the 2020 parliamentary elections, the Progressive Reform Party is the biggest political party in Suriname. Chan Santokhi became the new President of Suriname.
The party has been part of seven government coalitions, in the periods of: 1958–1963 (five years), 1963–1967 (four years), 1969–1973 (four years), 1987–1991 (four years), 1991–1996 (five years), 2000–2005 (five years) and 2005–2010 (five years); a total of 32 years. In 2020, the party formed a coalition government with the General Liberation and Development Party led by Ronnie Brunswijk, the new Vice President of Suriname.

## Representation

1949
* S. Rambaran Mishre
* H.W. Mohamed Radja
* L.B. Sitalsing
* H. Shriemisier
* J. Lachmon
* S.M. Jamaludin
1951
* J. Lachmon
* H.S. Radakushun
* H.F. Sewberath Misser
* J.S. Mungra
* K. Kanhai
* R.D. Oedayrajsing Varma
1955
* J. Lachmon
* H.S. Radakushun
* H.F. Sewberath Misser
* J.S. Mungra
* K. Kanhai
* R.D. Oedayrajsing Varma
1958
* J. Lachmon
* H. Mungra
* H.S. Radakushun
* M. Ramdjan
1963
* J.H. Adhin
* J. Lachmon
* B. Laigsingh
* L. Mungra
* R.M. Nannan Panday
* D. Sathoe
* H. Shriemisier

## Electoral results

| Election | No. of overall seats won | Votes | +/– | 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 | 8 / 51 | | 5 | 2nd | | Coalition |
| 1996 | 9 / 514 / 51(*after BVD defection) | | 1 5 | 3rd | | Opposition |
| 2000 | 8 / 51 | | 1 | 2nd | | Coalition |
| 2005 | 7 / 51 | | 1 | 2nd | | Coalition |
| 2010 | 8 / 51 | | 1 | 2nd | Paramaribo: 2 (of 17) Wanica: 3 (of 7) Nickerie: 1 (of 5) Commewijne: 1 (of 4) Saramacca: 1 (of 3) | Opposition |
| 2015 | 9 / 51 | 55,276 | 1 | 2nd | Paramaribo: 2 (of 17) 0 Wanica: 3 (of 7) 0 Nickerie: 2 (of 5) 1 Commewijne: 1 (of 4) 0 Saramacca: 1 (of 3) 0 | Opposition |
| 2020 | 20 / 51 | 108,378 | 11 | 1st | Paramaribo: 7 (of 17) 5 Wanica: 5 (of 7) 2 Nickerie: 4 (of 5) 2 Commewijne: 2 (of 4) 1 Saramacca: 2 (of 3) 1 | Coalition |

## Chairmen

The party has had four chairmen since its founding:
* 16 January 1949 – 18 October 2001: Jagernath Lachmon
* 19 October 2001 – 23 December 2001: Jnan Adhin [nl]
* 23 December 2001 – 3 July 2011: Ramdien Sardjoe
* 3 July 2011 – present: Chan Santokhi