The Coalition Axis For The 2024 Presidential Election Has Appeared, Observers: Don't Just Bargain Candidates, But Form Good Democracy

JAKARTA - Several political parties have declared their coalition axis ahead of the 2024 General Election. Such as the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) and the Gerindra-PKB coalition.

The two axes are also reportedly looking at other parties to increase their strength in facing the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Political observer from the University of Indonesia (UI) Cecep Hidayat, said that in order to achieve great interests, the coalition must also be 'fattened'.

"With the formation of this coalition, we will also see, not only to increase the portion of bargaining, to get candidates with high electability, but how to form a long-term, democratic system," Cecep said in Jakarta, Friday, August 19.

Cecep continued, the 2024 election was the 5th election after 1999 in the reform era. He hopes that democracy in Indonesia can be well consolidated, namely bringing Indonesia to a more mature democracy marked by good political cooperation.

Therefore, Cecep considers that the coalition must bring benefits to the nation. "Even if you build a coalition by building a political democracy, it's not just for the short term to carry out and smooth out their candidates," said Cecep.

At least, Cecep added, currently there are two axes ahead of the 2024 General Election. Namely KIB which is reportedly approaching the Democratic Party, while Gerindra-PKB and PDIP.

"If we talk about coalitions that have been built in Indonesia, the experience from several elections is usually not a permanent coalition. It is always changing. Coalition at the center and at the regional level is usually different. With the emergence of various coalitions, it is hoped that the democratic process in Indonesia will be healthier and more dynamic," he explained. Cecep.

Cecep said, with a coalition, political parties can advance their own candidates, as well as look at candidates from one coalition party, and then target the one with the highest electability.

"Show down their performance, now those who are still in the bureaucracy, the DPR, continue to work for the people, so that during the presidential election, people will be able to vote rationally. What is seen is the track record of the presidential and vice presidential candidates," said Cecep.

Previously, the General Chair of the Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto, said that KIB was inclusive and open to anyone.

"We want the politics to be put forward to be a unifying, inclusive and based on common ideas and thoughts for the progress of Indonesia, which we love," said Airlangga when registering with the KPU some time ago.

While building the coalition, Airlangga also reminded the elites, especially those who have ambitions to advance as presidential and vice presidential candidates, to start making visions and missions, and work hard with their current positions.