PPP Criticises Proposed 7% Parliamentary Threshold: That Is Winner-Takes-All Politics

United Development Party (PPP) Chairman Muhamad Mardiono has highlighted the discussion on the parliamentary threshold (PT) in the revision of the Election Law. In his view, democracy must be built together and no party should be allowed to monopolise power.

“The bill concerning the parliamentary threshold, yes. Of course, this has become a topic of discussion. Democracy, as the foundation of our Constitution, means this nation was built together. So in a democracy, there must not be one party that monopolises power, where the big one wins alone,” Mardiono told reporters in the Gambir area of Central Jakarta on Thursday (20/8/2026).

Mardiono highlighted the existence of a party calling for the parliamentary threshold to be raised to 6–7%. He said such parties simply want to win on their own.

“For example, if there is one party that proposes the parliamentary threshold should be 6% or 7%, that is winner-takes-all politics. Yes? If that is the case, then it should just be their own party. Then there will no longer be democracy,” he said.

Mardiono then proposed an alternative to the parliamentary threshold. He suggested establishing joint factions.

“There is actually another way besides the parliamentary threshold. Within the factions and within the commissions, 13 commissions are needed. We used to do that before. So that a party that only wins one or two seats can form a joint faction. Thus, even a single vote from the people becomes part of the right to democracy, that sovereignty lies in the hands of the people,” he added.

Previously, Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said the DPR would begin limited discussions on the revision of the Election Law. Dasco said the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) would also be included in the discussions.

“Regarding the Election Law bill, we have agreed with the faction leaders that we will begin limited discussions,” Dasco said at the DPR building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8).

He said the DPR had not yet had the opportunity to visit non-parliamentary parties to absorb their aspirations due to a number of busy schedules. Dasco said the agenda would begin the following week.

“Previously, due to several busy schedules, the visits to absorb aspirations from non-parliamentary parties had not yet been carried out. So, next week they will begin,” he said.