Islamic Political Representation Crisis: Transformation of Orientation and Electoral Base of Islamic Parties After the 2024 Election

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the crisis of Islamic political representation through the transformation of ideological orientation and changes in the electoral base of Islamic parties after the 2024 elections in Indonesia. Although Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, the results of the 2024 election show that Islamic parties have not been able to significantly increase electoral support, and even the United Development Party (PPP) has failed to exceed the parliamentary threshold. This research uses a qualitative method with a library research approach sourced from books, journal articles, official documents, and the results of the 2024 election. Data analysis was carried out in a descriptive-analytical manner using  the political cleavage theory  of Lipset and Rokkan,  the catch-all party theory  of Otto Kirchheimer, the dealignment theory  of Russell Dalton, and the theory of political representation of Hanna Pitkin. The results of the study show that Islamic parties have undergone a transformation from ideologically oriented parties to more pragmatic and inclusive parties. At the same time, Muslim voters are experiencing a change in increasingly rational political behavior and no longer have strong ideological loyalty to Islamic parties. The pragmatism of the coalition and the weakening of religion-based political divisions have caused the representative identities of Islamic parties to become increasingly blurred. This study found the concept of Post-Islamic Electoral Representation, which is a condition when Islamic identity is maintained as a political symbol, but is no longer the main basis in voter mobilization and party political strategy. These findings show that Islamic politics in Indonesia is not in decline, but is undergoing a transformation towards a more pragmatic and post-ideological political representation.