Indonesia Election Law Change Plan Scrapped Amid Widespread Protests

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered outside Indonesia's parliament in Jakarta, with clashes also reported in Padang, Bandung, and Yogyakarta. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds, forcing the legislature to delay a vote on controversial election laws that could have increased the influence of outgoing President Joko Widodo. The laws, which were intended to reverse a Constitutional Court ruling on candidate age requirements, were ultimately not ratified by parliament. The delay and cancellation of the ratification plans have been attributed to a power struggle between the parliament and the Constitutional Court, which could potentially precipitate a political crisis.