<
https://theconversation.com/a-twist-in-indonesias-presidential-election-does-not-bode-well-for-the-countrys-fragile-democracy-216007>
"On Valentine’s Day next year, Indonesia will go to the polls for its most
important election in ten years.
The incumbent president, Joko Widodo (known as “Jokowi”), has built a broad
supporting coalition of political parties and oligarchs, which has delivered
stability but also power and wealth for a small elite. He has also presided
over a period of increasing democratic regression, marked by an erosion of the
independence of institutions like the anti-corruption commission, inaction on
claims of human rights violations, and litigation to silence critics of the
government.
Despite this, Jokowi remains immensely popular, with some opinion polls
indicating that 80% of citizens support him. He would likely win again if he
ran. However, after two five-year terms, he is constitutionally barred from a
third, and proposals to change the rules to keep him in the palace have failed.
This is of deep concern to his political allies, who are reluctant to lose
their privileged positions. So, for many months, politicians and oligarchs have
been manoeuvring to find a way to keep their grip on power."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
