Indonesia

Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, underwent a pivotal transition in 2024 when Prabowo Subianto was elected President with 58.59% of the vote in the February general elections. He was sworn in on 20 October 2024 with Gibran Rakabuming Raka as Vice-President, inaugurating a government committed to reform but also drawing scrutiny over democratic norms. Already at 73, Prabowo became the oldest Indonesian president, while his Vice-President became the youngest ever.

Prabowo’s administration quickly enacted major clemency programs, including pardoning political figures such as Hasto Kristiyanto (PDIP Secretary General) and former Trade Minister Tom Lembong—both convicted in corruption cases. These actions, executed around Indonesia’s Independence Day, were rationale for promoting national unity but also sparked criticism for potential political interference in legal proceedings.

Legislatively, the government passed controversial amendments to the Armed Forces Law in March 2025, expanding roles for the military, including placing active-duty personnel into civilian positions and increasing retirement ages. Such moves provoked civil society protests, including a high-profile occupation of a parliamentary meeting by activists at the Fairmont Hotel, calling for transparency and pushback against creeping militarism in politics.

The democratic environment faces further erosion. Since January 2025, the Constitutional Court has enabled broader candidate eligibility for presidential races, ostensibly liberalizing political access—but critics argue public consultation and judicial independence remain weak. Meanwhile, activists and analysts warn that the absence of meaningful opposition and creeping authoritarian tendencies threaten Indonesia’s post‑1998 democratic gains.

On the economic front, Indonesia continues its emergence as a major regional player. It joined the expanded BRICS+ group in early 2025, enhancing ties with China, and simultaneously reached a political agreement with the EU to seal a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement expected by late 2025. A new trade deal with the U.S. also locks in a 19% average tariff on exports, reducing planned tariffs and signaling shifting global alliances. The World Bank projects GDP growth around 4.8% through 2027 even as middle-class decline and stalling globalization pose challenges.

Socially, Indonesia grapples with persistent human rights issues. New criminal code provisions, limits on minority rights, and the use of blasphemy laws for political suppression continue to draw international concern. The government’s efforts to rewrite national history before Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day have been criticized for sanitizing past abuses and historical complexity.

Indonesia today is a nation balancing economic ambition and global strategic relevance with mounting internal tensions over democratic backsliding, governance reforms, and civil rights. Its role as ASEAN’s largest economy and a geopolitical pivot between China, the EU, and the U.S. ensures that these domestic changes carry regional implications.