JAKARTA — Newly inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto may encounter significant challenges as he faces formidable opposition from the nation’s largest political party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). With its strong grassroots support and control of a fifth of the 580 seats in Parliament, the PDI-P’s position could pose hurdles to the ambitious plans outlined by the Prabowo administration.
None of the PDI-P’s members are represented in Prabowo’s newly unveiled 48-member Cabinet and 56 vice-ministers, making the PDI-P the most influential opposition party in Parliament. The remaining four-fifths of the legislative body is composed of seven political parties forming the ruling coalition.
Before the inauguration of Prabowo’s administration, PDI-P leaders made ambiguous statements about their position. While PDI-P Central Board chief Deddy Yevri Hanteru Sitorus indicated the party could offer constructive input without joining the Cabinet, senior party leader and former presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo stated more directly that any PDI-P participation in the government would depend on representation in the Cabinet.
With PDI-P now firmly in opposition, political analysts predict the party could act as a powerful counterweight to Prabowo’s administration. The PDI-P has a strong reputation for advocating for the welfare of ordinary Indonesians, and its extensive grassroots appeal could amplify its influence.
Prabowo’s government has laid out ambitious plans, including a push for 8% economic growth by 2027 and major initiatives such as a free meal program for school children and the creation of large food estates. However, the PDI-P’s opposition may complicate the implementation of these programs, especially given the party’s political strength and historical effectiveness in challenging government policies.
Sebastian Salang, a political analyst, noted that achieving 8% economic growth without PDI-P support could be “too optimistic,” and the Prabowo administration would need to present policies that are both practical and appealing to the public.
Historically, the PDI-P has demonstrated its effectiveness as an opposition force, most notably during the presidency of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono from 2004 to 2014. In 2006, the party successfully spearheaded a parliamentary inquiry that led to reforms in Indonesia’s oil and gas block concessions process.
Despite PDI-P’s political clout, the party would still need support from other lawmakers to block proposed policies. One possibility for strengthening its opposition influence would be for the PDI-P to form an alliance with the Nasdem Party, whose platform emphasizes nationalism and pluralism. Together, their combined seats would account for 31% of Parliament, giving them the ability to significantly impact the government’s agenda.
Nasdem, although part of the ruling coalition, is not represented in the Cabinet. Its chairman, Surya Paloh, has expressed support for the Prabowo administration but opted to remain out of the Cabinet—a move seen as a subtle indication that Nasdem might not always align with the coalition on all issues.
Analysts suggest that the PDI-P’s opposition and Nasdem’s independence could complicate Prabowo’s efforts to govern effectively. As political analyst Sebastian said, “In Indonesian politics, you don’t often tell people directly you don’t want them, or you don’t (want to) join them.”
With PDI-P’s history of effective opposition and strong grassroots support, the Prabowo government may face a delicate balancing act in navigating Parliament’s political landscape.