Markus Junianto Sihaloho – Political parties are cozying up and consolidating as they seek ways to bulk up ahead of the 2014 general elections, an analyst says.

Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) political researcher Burhanuddin Muhtadi said on Tuesday the parties were employing three methods to counter a possible doubling of the parliamentary threshold at the next polls.

He said the first strategy was for small parties to band together as a confederation, similar to Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional. Last week, the National Mandate Party (PAN) said it was in talks with smaller Islamic parties to form a confederation.

PAN official Bima Arya Sugiharto said the move was necessitated in part by the potential doubling of the parliamentary threshold from 2.5 percent to 5 percent.

However, Burhanuddin said this would require sweeping changes to existing laws. "I don't think it will work because our election system doesn't allow for a legislative candidate to run from a confederation of parties," he said.

The second strategy, Burhanuddin said, was for small parties that failed to meet the threshold in 2009 to unite under one flag. In the last election they accounted for more than 20 percent of votes.

"It's possible to form such an alliance, but only if the top leaders from each party don't start fighting each other in a power struggle," he said.

A source within the Indonesian Muslim Brotherhood (Parmusi), an offshoot of the United Development Party (PPP), said it had held meetings with the National Sun Party (PMB), the Crescent Star party (PBB) and the Ulema National Awakening Party (PKNU), ostensibly on uniting.

Burhanuddin said the third consolidation tactic was the acquisition of social organizations by major parties, highlighted by last week's talks between the Golkar Party and Parmusi and the Reform Star Party (PBR).

Parmusi chairman Bachtiar Chamsyah is embroiled in a spat with the PPP, chaired by Suryadharma Ali, so a split could be on the cards, Burhanuddin said.

Golkar is believed to be arming for a possible onslaught by the National Democrats, a social organization formed by former Golkar heavyweight Surya Paloh, which has hinted at political ambitions.

"Of all the strategies, this tactic will prove the most successful," Burhanuddin said. "The key is for Golkar to give equitable compensation to the acquired parties, including the chance to nominate their own legislative candidates."