Postelection complications<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
\nis certain to emerge the winner in the June 7 general election.
\nThat, however, is the only thing that is certain so far.
\nEverything else remains in the dark. For example, Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, chairwoman of PDI Perjuangan, can still be
\ndefeated by the parties which have lost.<\/p>\n
In the case of the presidency, Megawati, who was named her
\nparty's presidential candidate long ago, could be defeated by
\nPresident B.J. Habibie, the presidential candidate of the Golkar
\nParty, which has lost the elections. The reason is that PDI
\nPerjuangan is likely to get less than 50 percent of the votes,
\nwhich means that the losers can still turn winners if they form a
\ncoalition.<\/p>\n
But even if Megawati's party had won an absolute majority, she
\nmight still not become president. The problem is that there
\nappears to be no connection at all between the general election
\nand the presidential election. The general election only elects
\nthe people's representatives in the People's Consultative
\nAssembly, whose decisions do not necessarily run parallel with
\nthe people's aspirations as expressed in the elections.<\/p>\n
To avoid complicated debates such as we are having at present,
\nthe 1945 Constitution, which we have, so far, regarded as
\ninviolate, must be amended. For instance, it should be made clear
\nthat the leader of the winning party should become president, and
\nthese presidential elections should be by the people.<\/p>\n
Things would be eased considerably if Golkar, which is far
\nbehind PDI Perjuangan in terms of votes garnered, is willing to
\nbecome an opposition party. By doing so, Golkar would be making a
\nvaluable contribution to the current reform drive, and it would
\nbe greeted enthusiastically by the people in the 2004 general
\nelection -- a swift and elegant sacrifice.<\/p>\n
And what about Megawati's capabilities? To allow her to prove
\nherself, let her be president -- the only real test for anyone.<\/p>\n
-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/postelection-complications-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }