Penyebab Kekalahan Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan Daerah Sumatera Utara pada Pemilihan Gubernur Provinsi Sumatera Utara Tahun 2018

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the factors that caused the defeat of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in the 2018 North Sumatra gubernatorial election. As a political party that has a mass base in North Sumatra, it is proven by the ownership of 33 DPCs from a total of 33 regencies/cities in North Sumatra Province, 452 PACs from a total of 452 sub-districts in North Sumatra Province, and 5,862 Branches from a total of 6,113 sub-districts/villages in North Sumatra Province. This defeat is an interesting phenomenon to study considering that in the previous gubernatorial elections, namely in the 2008-2013 and 2013-2018 periods, PDIP also experienced defeat. The research method used in this study is a descriptive method using a qualitative approach. Data collection was carried out through literature studies, in-depth interviews with party figures and political observers, and secondary data analysis from election results and mass media. The results of the study show that the defeat of the PDI-P was caused by several main factors, including the success of political opponents in mobilizing by using identity politics in this case the issue of religion. The second factor was because the coalition built by the PDIP was too slim, thus narrowing the winning team's space in accessing constituents, considering that each DPRD member certainly has a support base in their respective electoral districts. This finding shows the importance of raising awareness for voters to choose candidates not based on their identity and the need to evaluate political strategies in terms of forming coalitions to win electoral contests at the regional level.