Indonesia’s ruling PDI-P could take on opposition role in Prabowo’s government as it ‘keeps options open’
- PDI-P chief Megawati has slammed the administration of outgoing President Joko Widodo and ‘widespread’ fraud during February’s presidential election
- Analysts say PDI-P is monitoring the situation to gauge how many parties would join the new governing coalition and Widodo’s influence in Prabowo’s team
The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has signalled it could take on an opposition role when president-elect Prabowo Subianto’s government takes power in October, but the party is taking a wait-and-see approach to “keep its options open”, analysts say.
All eyes were on PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Sukarnoputri this past weekend as her party held its annual leadership meeting, where she was widely expected to announce her stance towards Prabowo.
However, the influential chairwoman – a former president herself – appears to want to hold her cards close to her chest for the time being, refraining from declaring her party’s position.
But her speech – in which she strongly criticised the administration of outgoing President Joko Widodo and the lack of democratic safeguards during February’s presidential election – indicated that the PDI-P could take on an opposition role.
Megawati claimed that there was “widespread, systematic and structured” fraud which tarnished the election, mirroring the views of Prabowo’s opponents and pro-democracy activists in the country.