Thousands of Indonesians have mobilized in protest against their government’s attempt to overturn a recent constitutional court ruling, which would allow smaller parties to participate more freely in elections.
Demonstrators have gathered outside the parliament in Jakarta and in major cities like Padang, Bandung, and Yogyakarta.
The protests were sparked after Indonesia’s top court ruled on Wednesday that political parties would no longer need at least 20% representation in regional assemblies to field a candidate.
However, within a day, parliament introduced an emergency motion to reverse this decision, triggering widespread condemnation and concerns of a looming constitutional crisis.
The expedited legislation, expected to pass later on Thursday, aims to reinstate the previous rule that favors parties within the ruling coalition of outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his successor, Prabowo Subianto.
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This move could result in many local elections being uncontested, and would also prevent a prominent government critic, Anies Baswedan, from running for Jakarta governor.
The Indonesian government is also seeking ways to circumvent the court’s decision to maintain the current minimum age limit of 30 for candidates, a rule that would disqualify Widodo’s 29-year-old son, Kaesang Pangarep, from competing in a regional election in Central Java.
Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is set to become vice president alongside Prabowo, is also at the center of the political tension.
Observers warn that the struggle between Indonesia’s parliament—dominated by Widodo’s supporters—and the constitutional court could lead to a political crisis.
Despite these concerns, Widodo has downplayed the conflict, characterizing the amendments as part of the government’s “checks and balances.”
One protester, Joko Anwar, expressed fears that the nation’s leaders are focused on maintaining their power at the expense of the people.
“Eventually, we’ll just become a powerless mass of objects, even though we’re the ones who gave them power,” he said, urging citizens to take action.
On social media, blue posters featuring the phrase “Emergency Warning” above Indonesia’s national eagle have been widely shared.
Titi Anggraini, an elections analyst at the University of Indonesia, described parliament’s attempt to overturn the court’s ruling as unconstitutional, calling it a “robbery of the constitution.”
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