Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The world's third largest democracy went to the polls on February 14 to choose a new president and legislative members. Former military strongman, Prabowo Subianto, who was paired with incumbent president Joko Widodo's 36 years old son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has emerged as the clear victor, easily surpassing the 50% threshold of votes to avoid a run-off. However, developments during the election campaign have highlighted a trend towards authoritarianism and the rise of dynastic politics.
The results also point to continuity in President Widodo's economic policies, predicated upon substantial Chinese investment in infrastructure and extractives projects. As strategic tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region, analysts have also pondered whether a Prabowo presidency will augur a more assertive maritime posture in the South China Sea or whether Indonesia's relatively anodyne approach to regional strategic challenges will remain.
The world's third largest democracy went to the polls on February 14 to choose a new president and legislative members. Former military strongman, Prabowo Subianto, who was paired with incumbent president Joko Widodo's 36 years old son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has emerged as the clear victor, easily surpassing the 50% threshold of votes to avoid a run-off. However, developments during the election campaign have highlighted a trend towards authoritarianism and the rise of dynastic politics.
The results also point to continuity in President Widodo's economic policies, predicated upon substantial Chinese investment in infrastructure and extractives projects. As strategic tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region, analysts have also pondered whether a Prabowo presidency will augur a more assertive maritime posture in the South China Sea or whether Indonesia's relatively anodyne approach to regional strategic challenges will remain.
