Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle is a major centre-left political party in Indonesia. Founded in 1999, it is the formal successor to the Indonesian Democratic Party and is deeply associated with the political legacy of founding president Sukarno. The party has consistently been one of the largest factions in the People's Representative Council and has provided two of Indonesia's post-New Order presidents.

History

The party's origins trace to the faction within the Indonesian Democratic Party that was led by Megawati Sukarnoputri. After her controversial removal from the PDI leadership in 1996, an event which sparked the 27 July 1996 incident in Jakarta, her supporters formed a de facto separate movement. Following the Fall of Suharto in 1998, this faction formally established itself as a new party ahead of the 1999 Indonesian legislative election. It won the largest share of the vote in that pivotal election, though Abdurrahman Wahid of the National Awakening Party became president. Megawati later ascended to the presidency in 2001 following Wahid's impeachment. After losing the 2004 Indonesian presidential election to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the party returned to power with the election of its cadre, Joko Widodo, in the 2014 Indonesian presidential election, a victory repeated in 2019.

Ideology and political positions

The party's official ideological foundation is the state philosophy of Pancasila, interpreted through the lens of Sukarno's concept of Marhaenism, which emphasizes social justice and populist economics. Its platform generally aligns with Social democracy, advocating for welfare policies, economic nationalism, and agricultural support. The party positions itself as a defender of pluralism and the unitary state against political Islamism, though it has formed pragmatic coalitions with various Islamic parties. It has been a consistent supporter of President Widodo's infrastructure development agenda, including projects like the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail.

Organizational structure

The party's organizational structure is hierarchical, with the Central Executive Board at the national level overseeing provincial, regency, and branch boards. The highest decision-making body is the National Congress, held every five years. The party maintains a strong presence across the archipelago, with particularly robust machinery in traditional strongholds like Bali, Central Java, and East Java. Its cadre system is extensive, and it operates affiliated mass organizations such as the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Youth and the Association of Indonesian Women.

Electoral performance

The party won the 1999 Indonesian legislative election with 33.7% of the vote. Its vote share declined in subsequent elections, dropping to 18.5% in 2009, before recovering significantly. It regained its position as the largest party in the 2014 Indonesian legislative election with 18.95% of votes, a status it has maintained, winning 19.33% in 2019 and securing 16.72% in the most recent 2024 Indonesian legislative election. Its electoral bastions remain Java, especially the provinces of Central Java and East Java, and the Hindu-majority island of Bali, where it consistently dominates.

Leadership and prominent figures

The party has been chaired since its inception by Megawati Sukarnoputri, daughter of Sukarno, who remains its paramount leader and Ketua Umum. Key figures include current President Joko Widodo, though he is not a formal party executive. Other prominent members have included former DPR Speaker Puan Maharani (Megawati's daughter), former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, and former Governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. The party's secretary-general is Hasto Kristiyanto, a key strategist and organizational manager.

Category:Political parties in Indonesia Category:1999 establishments in Indonesia