Megawati Sukarnoputri

Megawati Sukarnoputri ( Megawati Soekarnoputri in the old spelling ) [ Megawati Sukarnoputri ] ( born January 23, 1947 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia) is an Indonesian politician and was from July 2001 to October 2004 President of their country. She was defeated in the first direct presidential election in October 2004 in the second round her challenger and successor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. She made her official from reluctant and continues to be active in politics. Currently, Megawati is chairman of the party founded by her in 1996 PDI -P.

Political career

Megawati is the daughter of the first president of Indonesia, Sukarno and his third wife Fatmawati. Megawati studied agricultural sciences at Padjadjaran University in Bandung. She finished her studies in 1967 with no qualifications than her father, then-President Sukarno, ran into political difficulties and was eventually forced out of the office. Sukarno had his office to General Suharto leave and was placed under house arrest. The family was imposed, not to engage in political activity. 1970 died Sukarno and Megawati began studying psychology at the University of Indonesia, which they broke off after two years.

Megawati led 20 years of life as a housewife, married three times and had three children. Nevertheless, it was considered early on as a political heir of her father. In 1987 she joined the PDI a (Democratic Party of Indonesia ), which was tolerated by the military government of Suharto and the regime was a democratic veneer. Megawati was deputy chairman of the PDI and 1993. She had little political experience, but quickly became a popular opposition politician. Benefited her came their origin, their personal integrity and the fact that she was not involved in corruption. Under Megawati's leadership, the PDI gained some influence and support, especially in poorer and middle classes.

Only in 1996 the still reigning military government was aware that Megawati is a danger, and she was forced out of the PDI. Unrest in the capital Jakarta were the result, Megawati could not participate in the 1997 parliamentary elections. Their popularity was strengthened by such measures only. Due to the Asian crisis of 1997, the rising public anger over corruption degenerating and eventually the fall of Suharto in 1998 Megawati's popularity continued to grow. The new party founded by her PDI -P ( " combative Democratic Party of Indonesia " ) achieved in the first free parliamentary elections in 1999 right away a third of the votes and was the strongest party. The PDI -P has become the main opponent of the dominant Golkar, the PDI was dissolved.

Presidency 2001-2004

Since, according to the then new Constitution, Parliament elected the president, Megawati was the most promising candidate. As a woman, but she pushed on reservations in the Islamic country. First, therefore, became her confidant President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President. After Wahid's dismissal Megawati was elected on 23 July 2001 as President.

Megawati continued the reforms of Habibie and Wahid. But rather fulfills the role of representative and symbol of national unity, as they pretended as prime minister a clear political direction. The military retained his influence and corruption remained on the agenda, even if their offenses were not even charged. In part, this passivity is due to still low political skills, as well as her lack of intellect and life experience is accused. Neither the poverty of many of their compatriots, even with foreign policy, it is really familiar.

2004 Presidential Election

By renewed constitutional amendment in 2004 there was the first direct election of the president. Unemployment and poverty in Indonesia was still high and the gloss Megawati had given way to many followers of disappointment. In the first round they got the second most votes in the second ballot she finally succumbed to her former security adviser Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The electoral defeat they met, despite all the negative demoscopic predictions, totally unprepared and she was hardly prepared to give up their office. She was not ready to recognize their defeat, congratulating the victor or officially hand over the presidency. Without an opinion she retired for a short time in politics, but left in March 2005, confirmed as chairman of the PDI -P.

Meaning of the name

Megawati is the daughter of the first Indonesian President Sukarno. " putri " is a suffix in Indonesian for " wife of ..." or " daughter of ... ". Sukarnoputri is therefore no real last name, as it is on Java anyway unusual.

Megawati is a household name in Indonesia, which is derived from Sanskrit. "Mega " means cloud, " wati " is a suffix that identifies a female name. So the name means something like " clouds girl, daughter of Sukarno " and is due to the cloudy weather on the day of Megawati's birth.