An intriguing court decision in Indonesia


Indonesia’s constitutional court upheld on Monday a rule that presidential and vice-presidential candidates must be at least 40 years old. But it then carved out an exemption for younger candidates with experience in office.

Where’s the intrigue? 

  • President Widodo’s son (36) is rumoured to be eyeing a run for VP
  • A party now chaired by his other son co-filed the case, and
  • Widodo’s brother-in-law heads up the court that made the decision.

And this all fuels speculation that he’s seeking to establish a political dynasty.

Intrigue’s take: Widodo, who remains popular but is term-limited, continues to shrug off the speculation while declining (🇮🇩) to discuss the court case.

And he himself signed (🇮🇩) the electoral age limit into law back in 2017.

But we won’t have to wait long to see how this all pans out: nominations for February’s general elections open tomorrow (Thursday).

Also worth noting:

  • In explaining its exemption, the court referred to examples of leaders in France and New Zealand being elected while in their 30s.
Latest Author Articles
World’s worst central banker’ arrested in Lebanon

It’s always good to be remembered for the things you accomplish in life, right? Less so if those accomplishments include international media outlets dubbing you the ‘World’s Worst Central Banker’, plus now a jail stint in Lebanon.

5 September, 2024
Is Volkswagen okay?

German automaker Volkswagen has long been synonymous with the kind of all-round reliability that can get you to Vegas and back when Spirit Airlines lets you down. But Germans may now be re-thinking those vibes after Monday’s news.

4 September, 2024
Meet some of the world’s richest people

Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote woke up yesterday to the news that he’s now lost the title of ‘Africa’s richest person’, largely as a result of a devaluing naira. Hopefully his $13B fortune helped soften the blow.

29 August, 2024
Three reasons the Russo-Ukraine war might be a little more dynamic than you think

Ukraine is back on the front page (if it ever really left) after Russia launched its biggest-ever missile and drone strike on Monday, followed by a chaser attack yesterday (Tuesday).

28 August, 2024