DINAMIKA KOALISI PARTAI POLITIK DALAM PILKADA KABUPATEN PADANG LAWAS UTARA TAHUN 2018

Abstract

This study discusses the dynamics of the coalition of political parties carrying a single candidate in the process of nominating the regent and deputy regent in the 2018 North Padang Lawas Regency election. By using Arend Lijphart's coalition theory, it will be elaborated on how the dynamics of forming a coalition of political parties in support of a single candidate pair will be elaborated. Lijphart categorizes coalitions into 2 forms, namely: policy blind coalition and policy based coalition. By using a qualitative method through a case study approach, this research begins with an explanation of the political parties carrying the candidates, the dynamics that occur between political parties, then an analysis of the form of coalition built by the party is supported by political realities to strengthen the results of the author's analysis. The findings of this study indicate that the coalition of political parties carrying a single candidate in the 2018 North Padang Lawas Regency election tends to form a policy blind coalition, namely a coalition that prioritizes maximizing power rather than considering ideological similarities and party platforms. The coalition that is formed tends to be pragmatic, elitist and office seeking oriented. The selection of candidates tends to consider popularity, influence of the central elite and local elites as well as large capital ownership so as to be able to gather all political parties in one coalition block.