DPRD Elections Change National Leadership Regeneration
JAKARTA - The executive director of Aljabar Strategic, Arifki Chaniago, assessed that the election of regional heads (pilkada) through the DPRD not only changes the map of political party competition in the short term, but also in the regeneration of national leadership in the future.
According to him, direct elections have so far become a strategic path for the birth of national political figures. A number of figures such as Dedi Mulyadi, Ganjar Pranowo, Joko Widodo, Anies Baswedan, Sandiaga Uno to Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, grew with direct legitimacy from voters before transforming into national political actors.
"Pilkada immediately gives space for open competition. Figures can surpass party structures because they have the mandate of the people. If the Pilkada passes through the DPRD, the space narrows drastically," said Arifki in a written statement, Sunday, January 4.
He explained, if referring to the Constitutional Court's decision, it is likely that the Pilkada will be held in 2031, or two years after the 2029 General Election. As a consequence, the results of the 2029 Legislative Election will not only determine the composition of parliament, but also the party that controls the next regional head election.
If through the DPRD, the 2031 Pilkada is predicted to be dominated by large parties that have a majority seat in the regional parliament. This condition is considered realistic and has the potential to make the 2029 Election take place more harshly than previous elections, because political parties are not only focused on winning legislative elections, but also strengthening their bargaining position ahead of the 2031 Pilkada.
"However, the local elections are still an electoral machine. The regional head is a power node as well as political logistics. If the local elections are controlled by a big party, the effect will be felt until the next election in 2034," added Arifki.
He also reminded of the potential for changes in the orientation of regional heads' loyalty. In the mechanism of the regional election through the DPRD, regional heads tend to consider the attitude of party elites more than the aspirations of the community.
The continued consequences of this condition are the limitations of public legitimacy for regional heads resulting from the DPRD Pilkada. "This makes it difficult for them to compete credibly in the 2034 presidential election with the general chairman of the party or national figures who have stronger political resources," said Arifki.