Gregory Allan Rusland (born 9 November 1959) is a Surinamese politician who has been the Vice President of Suriname since 16 July 2025. He served as Minister for Natural Resources between 2005 and 2010. In 2012 he became leader of the National Party of Suriname. Rusland has been a member of the National Assembly since 2015.
Early life and career
Rusland was born on 9 November 1959 in Paramaribo.[1] He studied agricultural production at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname and received a bachelor's degree in 1982. He continued his studies in the same field at the University of Florida and obtained an MSc in 1984.[2] Rusland obtained a further PhD at the same institute in 1987. He held several teaching positions at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname between 1987 and 2005.[1][2] Between 1987 and 2000 Rusland also helped found several institutes at the university. He also went into business and amongst other ventures served as president-commissioner of a shrimp company.[3]
In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Suriname, Rusland expressed support for the government measures taken to suppress the pandemic. However, he was critical of the evening curfew, stating that it reminded him of the military government of the 1980s.[9] On 23 April 2020, after the public prosecutor had indicated that it wanted to prosecute Finance Minister Gillmore Hoefdraad for mismanagement at the Central Bank of Suriname, Rusland stated that Hoedraad should immediately offer his position to the President.[10][11]
Rusland was once again elected to the National Assembly for Paramaribo District in the 2020 elections.[13] On 1 July 2020, Rusland tested COVID-19 positive. He had been tested, because Paul Somohardjo with whom he had lengthy meetings about the new government tested positive.[14] Rusland's wife was infected as well even though she had stayed at home for the last three weeks.[15]
In December 2020 he was re-elected as leader of the National Party of Suriname for a third time.[16][17][18]
In February 2023, the NPS under Rusland left the Santokhi cabinet, with the NPS stating that it had been hardly involved in government during the preceding two years.[19] After the 2025 election, Rusland put aside his party's longstanding rivalry with the National Democratic Party and joined an NDP-led supermajority coalition. In return, NDP leader Jennifer Geerlings-Simons named Rusland as her vice presidential running mate. They were elected unopposed on 6 July.[20]
Personal life
Rusland is married and has two children.[1] His father Harold Rusland was a union leader and served as Minister of Education and his brother Andy Rusland[nl] served as Minister of Finance.[2][21] Rusland has stated he is oriented towards the United States and has a special link with Florida.[3]
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