{{Short description|President of Suriname from 1990 to 1991}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Johan Kraag | image = Minister van Sociale Zaken van Suriname dhr Kraag voor besprekingen in Holland , Bestanddeelnr 915-4476 (cropped).jpg | image_size = | office = 5th President of Suriname | vice_president = Jules Wijdenbosch | term_start = 29 December 1990 | term_end = 16 September 1991 | predecessor = Ramsewak Shankar | successor = Ronald Venetiaan | office1 = 3rd Deputy Prime Minister of Suriname | prime_minister1 = Johan Adolf Pengel | term_start1 = 15 February 1964 | term_end1 = 5 March 1969 | predecessor1 = Sewraam Rambaran Mishre | successor1 = Harry Radhakishun | office2 = {{ill|Minister of Social Affairs|nl|Lijst van Surinaamse ministers van Sociale Zaken en Volkshuisvesting}} | prime_minister2 = Johan Adolf Pengel | term_start2 = 30 June 1963 | term_end2 = 5 March 1969 | predecessor2 = {{ill|Emile Ensberg|nl}} | successor2 = {{ill|August Biswamitre|nl}} | birth_date = {{birth date|1913|07|29|df=y}} | birth_place = Hamilton, Coronie, Suriname | death_date = {{Death date and age|1996|05|24|1913|07|29|df=y}} | death_place = | birth_name = Johannes Samuel Petrus Kraag | party = NPS | spouse = | alma_mater = | occupation = Politician | signature = | website = }}
'''Johannes Samuel Petrus "Johan" Kraag''' (29 July 1913 – 24 May 1996) was a Surinamese politician who served as the President of Suriname from 29 December 1990, until 16 September 1991.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1218515.stm|title=Timeline: Suriname|publisher=BBC News|access-date=14 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gov.sr/kabinet-van-de-president/over-het-kabinet/historie.aspx |title=Kabinet van de President - Historie|website=Republiek Suriname - Overheid |access-date=2018-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521104730/http://www.gov.sr/kabinet-van-de-president/over-het-kabinet/historie.aspx |archive-date=2018-05-21 |url-status=dead |language=nl}}</ref>
== Political career == Kraag was a member of the National Party of Suriname. He served as the Chairman of the Estates of Suriname from 1958 to 1963.<ref name="nationalassembly">{{Cite web |url=http://www.dna.sr/achtergrond/lijst-van-oud-voorzitters |title=Lijst van Oud-Voorzitters|website=De Nationale Assemblée van de Republiek Suriname|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714135843/http://www.dna.sr/achtergrond/lijst-van-oud-voorzitters |archive-date=2013-07-14 |url-status=dead |language=nl}}</ref> In 1963, Kraag joined the Pengel cabinet as Minister of Social Affairs. He was subsequently named Deputy Prime Minister of Suriname as well. He retired from politics after the 1969 Surinamese general election, although he was still widely respected. The Surinamese daily {{ill|De Vrije Stem|nl|De Vrije Stem (Suriname)}} suggested Kraag as a candidate for ambassador to the Netherlands in 1974;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/1974-03-12/edition/0/page/7|title=Kemble trekt ach nu terug|website=Leidsch Dagblad|date=12 March 1974|language=nl}}</ref> in 1979, the newspaper Nieuwe Leidsche Courant considered him as a potential successor to President Johan Ferrier.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/NLC/1979-04-20/edition/0/page/7|title=President Ferrier wil aftreden; Medewerker Arron in gevangenis|website=Nieuwe Leidsche Courant|date=20 April 1979|language=nl}}</ref>
=== Honorary Chairman === After democracy was restored in 1987, Kraag accepted the title of "Honorary Chairman" of the NPS. However, he joined the party's moderate wing, which protested against leader Henck Arron's tight control on internal party decisions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.digibron.nl/viewer/collectie/Digibron/id/740d639d0e25ddfd0813a658bdb0bfff|title=jaar nog recht van lijf en leden|website=Reformatorisch Dagblad via Digibron|date=16 January 1991|access-date=20 June 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
On 22 December 1990, Bouterse resigned from the Army after a disagreement with President Ramsewak Shankar.<ref name="telephone_coup"/> On 24 December a military coup known as the "telephone coup" ousted President Shankar, and Ivan Graanoogst was appointed as Acting President.<ref name="telephone_coup"/>
=== President of Suriname === On 29 December, Kraag was chosen by the National Assembly as President of Suriname. Jules Wijdenbosch, a follower of Bouterse, was appointed Vice President.<ref name="telephone_coup">{{cite news|url=https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LLC/1990-12-31/edition/0/page/1|title=Nieuwe President vraagt Bouterse terug|website=Leidse Courant|date=31 December 1990|access-date=20 June 2020|language=nl}}</ref> On 30 December, Kraag approved the Army's request to reinstate Bouterse as Commander of the Army,<ref name="telephone_coup" /> and Bouterse officially returned on 1 January 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digibron.nl/viewer/collectie/Digibron/id/9d51981a9b9a9e3f437eaf18bf73e4d0|title=Bouterse weer terug ak bevelhebber leger|website=Reformatorisch Dagblad via Digibron|access-date=20 June 2020|date=2 January 1991|language=nl}}</ref> On 16 September 1991, Kraag was succeeded by Ronald Venetiaan.<ref name="db">{{cite news|url=https://www.dbsuriname.com/2013/10/26/ronald-venetiaan-ik-treed-terug-om-politieke-redenen/|title=Ronald Venetiaan: 'Ik treed terug om politieke redenen'|website=Dagblad Suriname|language=nl|access-date=20 June 2020|date=16 October 2013}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Ramsewak Shankar}} {{s-ttl|title=President of Suriname|years=1990–1991}} {{s-aft|after={{nowrap|Ronald Venetiaan}}}} {{s-end}}
{{Presidents of Suriname}} {{Deputy Prime Ministers of Suriname}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kraag, Johan}} Category:1913 births Category:1996 deaths Category:National Party of Suriname politicians Category:Presidents of Suriname Category:Deputy prime ministers of Suriname Category:Surinamese evangelicals Category:Chairmen of the Estates of Suriname Category:People from Coronie District