DEMOCRAT PARTY SUITABLE TO COALESCE WITH THOSE OF REFORMS ERA: OBSERVER

Padang, W Sumatra, April 13 (ANTARA) - Political observer of the Padang-based Andalas University (Unand) Prof Damsar said the most suitable partners in coalition with the Democrat Party were political parties which were established during the reforms era.

"The Democrat Party should establish a coalition in order to accomplish the much-awaited reforms process. Therefore, it would be a correct step for the Democrat Party if it coalesces with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the National Awakening Party (PKB), which were born during the reforms movement," he said here on Sunday.
The Democrat Party needs to coalesce with parties formed after the launch of the reforms movement so that its programs would be in line with the reforms ideals.
If it did not do it, the Democrat Party would bear the burden of the problem in the past. "Its coalition with Golkar for the 2004-2009 is OK, but if this coalition continues in the future Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would bear the past burden," he said.
He said that the same thing was also true if it coalesce with the United Development Party (PPP) which was born in the New Order Era.
The quick count organized by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) on Thursday legislative polls indicated that the Democratic Party won 20.48 percent of the votes followed by PDI-P with 14.33 percent and Golkar Party with 13.95 percent in the third plance.
Th Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) with 7.85 percent was ranked in the fourth place followed by the National Mandate Party (PAN) 5.72 percent, the United Development Party (PPP) 5.24 percent, the National Awakening Party (PKB) 5.12 percent, the Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party 4.59 percent, the People's Conscience Party (Hanura) 3.78 percent, and the Crescent and Star Party (PBB) 1.70 percent.