JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Suryadharma Ali, Chief of United Development Party (PPP), closed the possibility for his party to hold primary for endorsing president candidate in 2014 General Election. Suryadharma claimed PPP would fail to reach the current parliamentary seats and presidential threshold.
The Minister of Religious Affairs added that his party has no experience for holding a primary. “Linked to the Election Presidential Law, primary is not realistic (for PPP),” said Suryadharma.
However, Suryadharma also criticized the current 20% parliamentary seat or 25% of the popular vote set to endorse a president candidate. According to him, the current requitement would only benefit the big parties for the upcoming election.
Suryadharma advised the parliamentary threshold is better reduced to 3.5%, then around 7 or 9 pair candidates would compete in the upcoming presidential election.
Based on the recent polling, Islamic parties will suffer substantial decrease in the next election. PPP was predicted to only get 6% votes. (indrab@yosefardi.biz)