First Section
THE COUNCIL OF STATE

Article 113
There is a Council of State, whose composition and powers shall be regulated by law. The President is Chairman of the Council of State.

Article 114
On assuming office the members of the Council of State shall take the following oath or make the following promise before the President:

“I swear (promise) that in order to be appointed member of the Council of State, I have not given or promised, nor will I give or promise, anything, directly or indirectly, to anyone whomsoever, under whatsoever name or pretext.
I swear (promise) that in order to do or to refrain from doing anything whatsoever in this office, I will not accept, directly or indirectly, any promises or presents from anyone whomsoever.
I swear (promise) that I will perform my duties and that I will not make public the things of which I have taken cognizance, through my appointment as member of the Council of State, and which are entrusted to me as secret, or of which I should understand the confidential character, except to those persons to whom I am obliged by law ex officio to communicate them.
I swear (promise) obedience to the Constitution and all other rules of law.
I swear (promise) allegiance to the Republic of Suriname. So help me, God Almighty (That I declare and promise).”

POWERS OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE

1. The Council of State has without prejudice to what is regulated by law the following powers:

   a. To give guidance to the state administration and to supervise the correct execution of the decisions of the National Assembly by the Government;

   b. To suspend the decrees of the Council of Ministers and those of lower organs that do not contain generally binding rules, if they are, in the opinion of the Council of State, in violation of the Constitution, the law and the government programme ;

   c. To advise the President in the execution of his office of Head of State and of head of the Government;

   d. To advise the Government on general policy matters and on the content and the constitutionality of proposals of law as well as agreements under public international law for which the consent of the National Assembly is required;

   e. To advise the Government on proposals of general administrative measures;

   f. To present, if necessary, proposals of law or of general administrative measures to the Government;

   g. To arrange for the mobilization of the people when the national interest demands that;

   h. To pass its own Rules of Order which shall be determined by general administrative measures.

2. If a decree, as mentioned in paragraph (1) under (b), is suspended by the Council of State, the President shall need to decide to ratify or not to ratify that decision within one month after the date of the suspension.