Unrest Averted for Now as Indonesian Parliament Agrees to New Electoral Rules

Protests broke out across the country when allies of outgoing President Joko Widodo tried to nullifying 2 Constitutional Court rulings.

University students take part in a protest against a move to overturn a Constitutional Court ruling that changed eligibility rules for candidates in the general election, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on Aug. 26, 2024. CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP via Getty Images

Calm has returned to the streets of Jakarta after Indonesia’s parliament gave the country’s electoral regulator permission to issue new rules that comply with two Constitutional Court rulings.

Parliament had tried to postpone ratifying changes to the election rules last week, causing protesters to attempt to tear down the gates of the legislature and widespread unrest across the country, which was met by police firing teargas and water cannons.