Indonesia: Jokowi Sidelines Democracy

Democracy in Indonesia is under attack from within. Despite high levels of democratic commitment from voters and elites, President Joko Widodo has sidelined democracy for the sake of economic development, his avowed main priority. Under his tenure, free elections have been threatened, civil liberties have declined, corruption fighters and legislative checks weakened, and the armed forces’ role in civilian affairs has grown. Elected local officials whose terms end before the 2024 elections will be replaced by Jokowi’s appointees. The large number of offices contested in those elections will unnecessarily and dangerously burden election officials.