As a confirmed candidate in the 2004 direct presidential election, President Megawati Sukarnoputri and her ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) seem well aware that the choice of a running mate will be as vital as building solid and stable party coalitions.
Two PDI-P functionaries, chairman of the national executive board Roy B.B. Janis and deputy secretary general Pramono Anung, admitted lasy week that to win the presidential race, Megawati and her running mate must gain more than 50% of the vote.
"In reaching that target, PDI-P needs coalitions with several political parties. Ideally, it must be a two party coalition but a multi-party coalition will be much better for national stability," said Pramono Anung at the party headquarters.
PDI-P from the outset has tried to anticipate the worst scenario, in which Megawati's running mate would withdraw from the political coalition, or take sides with another party that offers more promise.
Janis, who is also leader of the PDI-P faction in the House, added that the party will decide on its presidential and vice presidential candidate as one packet when the general election for the House of Representatives is over, providing a clear picture of the composition of support of the parties.
"it is realistic because in an general election we are talking about real support of political parties. Thus it is quite logical if the nomination of presidential and vice presidential candidates will be conducted after the election of legislators," he said.
This gives the impression that Megawati, already nominated by her party as the undisputed presidential candidate, will seek a strong and grass roots-based party proven at the polls to provide her running mate.
Should a chosen party for a coalition withdraw, PDI-P points to article 45 paragraph of the draft Presidential Electoral Law: "In a situation when a political party withdraws its candidate as presidential candidate and/or the candidate resigns after nomination as a candidate, the candidate and the political party that propose the candidate concerned, cannot be allowed to take part in the election." If this article can be adopted, there will be no turning back, forcing parties to make political calculations as accurately as possible.
A member of the special committee on the bill, PDI-P member Firman Jaya Deli, told reporters that the section is aimed at conditioning the parties to adopt consistency and enabling the creation of long-lasting political coalitions.
The section also stipulates that, in a situation where a vice presidential candidate is withdrawn by the political party that proposed the candidate, or the candidate resigns at least three days before the general election, the political party that propose the candidate can nominate another candidate.
Paragraph f of the same article stipulates that in a situation where a vice presidential candidate cannot meet the requirements of the law, the presidential candidate can nominate a substitute from the same party as the original candidate, again as long as the action is taken at least three days before the election.
Amien Rais, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, has a different suggestion.
"The coalition built after the legislative election would not be genuinely based on the result of that election, but would be absolutely pragmatic. In accordance with the revised 1945 constitution," added Rais, "the presidential system should not be related to the vote percentage within the House of Representatives."
"Thus, give the freedom to the people to choose their favorite presidential candidate without having to be connected with their political parties, thus it will be more objective."
Rai's idea is not unprecedented. Presidential elections in the United States do not always coincide with the vote in Congress.
The debate comes as analysts predict that PDI-P has no hope of repeating its success in gaining 34% of votes in 1999, now being seen as a corrupt party.
The image of Megawati herself is different, since she retains the aura of her father, Sukarno, and her firm stand on the nationalist platform continue to provide strong support.
Thus in the eyes of moderate nationalists as well as moderate Muslim groups, Megawati is seen as the best among the worst. And, add the analaysts, she has also impressed as a symbol of stability and firmness.
This again suggests that at the direct presidential election, Megawati's political prospects are more promising than PDI-P hope of gaining support from across the range of society.