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PDI-P hopes for PAN, PKB support over presidential threshold
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All ready: House of Representatives members are pictured inside the House building. (Tempo/-)
O
nly one day before voting on five crucial issues in the election bill, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is hoping its coalition mates, the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the National Mandate Party (PAN), will be willing to support the party over its stance on the presidential threshold.
As of Wednesday, PAN and the PKB wanted a vote threshold of between 10 to 15 percent for any party wishing to nominate presidential candidates, while the PDI-P and four other parties in the ruling coalition insist on keeping the 20-25 percent benchmark.
“I hope the PKB and PAN can join us [in keeping the benchmark at 20-25 percent]. Because both of them are members of the government coalition,” PDI-P faction treasurer said Alex Indra Lukman said on Wednesday.
The party hoped all factions at the House could reach a consensus rather than need to hold a vote. “We’re optimistic [about winning a vote], but we still want to push for a consensus first,” Alex said.
The difference stance of PAN, in particular, has raised concerns among the PDI-P over the former’s commitment to supporting the government.
PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto previously said parties that did not support the government’s decision should be outside the coalition.
The special committee tasked to deliberate the election bill has prepared everything needed to vote on the five issues, namely the presidential threshold, legislative threshold, number of seats in each electoral district and the method of converting votes into seats, in a plenary session on Thursday. (foy/ebf)
