Indonesian Legal Experts Propose 'Seat Threshold' to Prevent Parliament Fragmentation

Indonesian constitutional law experts are pushing for the adoption of a 'seat threshold' (ambang batas fraksi), which sets a minimum number of seats a party must secure to be represented in parliament. This approach differs from the current 'parliamentary threshold' (ambang batas parlemen), which mandates a minimum vote share for parties to gain representation. The proposal aims to curb the fragmentation of political parties in the Indonesian legislature and promote more stable governance and policy-making. While the existing parliamentary threshold prevents parties below a certain vote percentage from winning seats, a significant number of small parties still manage to secure parliamentary representation. Experts argue that this situation contributes to political instability and delays in policy implementation. If a seat threshold is introduced, political parties may be compelled to build broader support bases or strengthen inter-party cooperation to win more seats. This is expected to enhance the overall efficiency of the parliament and facilitate legislative deliberations that more accurately reflect the will of the people. The discussion centers on the maturity of Indonesia's democracy and the broader challenge of establishing an effective and stable governance system.