Golkar seeks coalition with PDI-P in a surprise move<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): After being rejected by the National Mandate
\nParty (PAN) and the National Awakening Party (PKB), Golkar Party,
\nrunning third in the provisional vote count, is looking at the
\npossibility of forming a coalition with the front-running
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).<\/p>\n
Golkar chief treasurer and noted businessman Fadel Muhammad
\nsaid on Thursday it would be ideal if PDI Perjuangan coalesced
\nwith Golkar and established a new government to lead the country
\nfor the next five years.<\/p>\n
\"If PDI Perjuangan coalesced with Golkar, it would be more
\nthan enough to establish a new government,\" he said at Golkar's
\nJakarta headquarters.<\/p>\n
He said Golkar proposed the idea of a coalition with PDI
\nPerjuangan after it completed its internal vote count on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Golkar's count had PDI Perjuangan winning the elections with
\n32.25 percent of the vote, with Golkar in second with 27.06
\npercent. Golkar projects it will get 124 of the 462 seats in the
\nHouse of Representatives, while PDI Perjuangan will receive 151
\nseats.<\/p>\n
Fadel also said preliminary poll results indicated the
\nmajority of Indonesians placed their trust in nationalist-
\noriented parties rather than religious-oriented ones.<\/p>\n
\"The fact that both Golkar and PDI Perjuangan are nationalist-
\noriented parties is favorable for the establishment of a
\ncoalition.\"<\/p>\n
\"We all know there is nothing impossible in politics,\" he said
\nwhen asked about the possibility of PDI Perjuangan agreeing to
\nthe coalition.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan has not made a decision on possible coalition
\npartners. Party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has repeatedly
\nsaid she would only agree to discuss a coalition after the final
\nvote tally was announced.<\/p>\n
National Mandate Party chairman Amien Rais has rejected the
\npossibility of forming a coalition with Golkar, and National
\nAwakening Party deputy chairman Alwi Shihab said on Tuesday PKB
\nwould only be willing to form a coalition with PDI Perjuangan and
\nPAN.<\/p>\n
Fadel said Golkar was making efforts to approach other parties
\nabout possible coalitions.<\/p>\n
\"Although a coalition with PDI Perjuangan would be ideal, we
\ncan also coalesce with PKB, PAN, the United Development Party
\n(PPP), other Muslim-oriented parties and even the Justice and
\nUnity Party (PKP) to set up a new government,\" he said, adding
\nthat it was the prerogative of Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung to
\nnegotiate with party leaders about possible coalitions.<\/p>\n
The Justice and Unity Party was established by several ex-
\nGolkar executives.<\/p>\n
If Golkar and PDI Perjuangan fail to decide on a presidential
\ncandidate, Fadel said Golkar would let the General Session of the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decide the matter.<\/p>\n
Golkar has named incumbent President B.J. Habibie its
\npresidential candidate, while PDI Perjuangan named Megawati its
\npresidential candidate.<\/p>\n
Fadel said Golkar had not drawn up a strategy for the
\npresidential election, which will take place during the General
\nSession of the MPR in November.<\/p>\n
\"Chairman Akbar Tandjung will hold a party leadership meeting
\nto establish an election victory team. After the team is
\nestablished, we'll then talk about scenarios,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Fadel said if a deadlock occurred during the presidential
\nelection, he personally would prefer presidential candidates from
\nparties which contested the general election.<\/p>\n
Analysts have spoken of an \"extra electoral process\" in the
\npresidential election, meaning an alternative candidate from
\noutside the political parties could gain the presidency if the
\nMPR becomes deadlocked.<\/p>\n
Fadel said Golkar would prefer to have presidential candidates
\nnominated by factions in the MPR, but the presidential election
\ncould also proceed on the basis of one person one vote.(imn)<\/p>",
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