Party of former dictator claims win in election

Thursday, April 15, 2004

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The leader of the party once led by Indonesian dictator Suharto claimed victory Wednesday in parliamentary elections that were a major setback to President Megawati Sukarnoputri. The Golkar party had 20.81 percent with about two-thirds the results counted from the April 5 vote. That's less than one percentage point ahead of Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, but ballots from Golkar's strongholds have yet to be counted and its lead is likely to increase. Golkar chief Akbar Tandjung declared his party the winner. A victory would be a huge success for the party that was Suharto's main political machine in his 32-year rule, especially ahead of landmark presidential elections in July.

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