Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (Indonesian: Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan, PDI-P) is an Indonesian political party, and the party of the current president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.

PDI-P was founded and is currently led by Megawati Sukarnoputri, president of Indonesia from 2001 to 2004, and daughter of Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia. Megawati was forced out from the leadership of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) by the government of Indonesia under Suharto in 1996. Megawati formed PDI-P in 1999, after Suharto resigned and restrictions on political parties were lifted.

The party's centre-left ideology is based on the official Indonesian national philosophy, Pancasila. It is a member of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats.

Origins

At the 1993 National Congress, Megawati Sukarnoputri was elected Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party, one of the three political parties recognised by President Suharto's "New Order" government. This result was not recognised by the Government and they continued to push for Budi Harjono, their candidate for the Chairpersonship to be elected. A Special Congress was held where the Government expected to have Harjono elected, but Megawati once again emerged as elected leader. Her position was consolidated further when a PDI National Assembly ratified the results of the Congress.