Incumbent Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, and his running mate Ma'ruf Amin wave to reporters, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, June 27, 2019. Indonesia's top court has rejected a challenge to election results that alleged massive and systematic fraud, paving the way for Joko Widodo's second term as president. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Widodo seals 2nd term as Indonesia leader after court battle

June 27, 2019 - 11:45 am

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia's top court Thursday rejected a losing presidential candidate's allegations of massive and systematic election fraud, sealing a second term for Joko Widodo, who in fending off the rising power of Islamists has drifted toward authoritarian tactics.



The official election results released last month showed Widodo won 55.5% of the vote but also revealed a polarized electorate. Subianto, who allied himself with groups that want Islamic rather than secular law to prevail in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, won big victories in conservative provinces.




"In the election our political choices are different but the elected president and vice president are the president and vice president for all children of the nation, for all Indonesians," he said.


The legal challenge appeared to be partly an attempt to strengthen the hand of Subianto's party, Gerindra, which has been negotiating with Widodo's governing coalition for Cabinet positions.

Minutes after the ruling, Subianto said he had "respect" for it, reducing the risk of more violent protests but also raising the possibility of his party joining Widodo's government and leaving the world's third-largest democracy without a significant parliamentary opposition.

"The ruling is very disappointing for us and our supporters, but we have committed to obey the constitution and we respect the Constitutional Court's decision," he said.



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