Does the Presidential Election Have Implications for a Better Environment in Indonesia?

Dini Tiara Sasmi; Rendi Prayuda; Muhammad Arsy Ash Shiddiqy

doi:10.2478/danb-2026-0019

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Does the Presidential Election Have Implications for a Better Environment in Indonesia?

DANUBE

Volume 17 (2026): Issue 3 (September 2026)

By: Dini Tiara Sasmi, Rendi Prayuda and Muhammad Arsy Ash Shiddiqy

Open Access

|Oct 2026

Abstract

According to the conventional wisdom, political actors and candidates are incentivized by electoral competition to compete for voter support through public good provision that is aligned with their preferences. This study aims to examine the validity of this assumption, especially regarding whether presidential elections have a positive impact on environmental quality, a subject with relatively little attention. Using annual time-series data for Indonesia (1970–2024) from the World Bank, Global Footprint Network, KPU, and V-Dem, we estimate the effect of presidential elections on one of the world’s greatest environmental challenges: climate change. Contrary to general theories of electoral competition and political accountability, presidential elections do not significantly shape environmental governance in Indonesia. The study contributes to the literature by identifying issue salience as a key condition shaping electoral accountability and environmental policy outcomes.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/danb-2026-0019 | Journal eISSN: 1804-8285 | Journal ISSN: 1804-6746 (formerly 1804-8285)

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Language: English

Page range: 296 - 309

Submitted on: Jan 9, 2026

Accepted on: Jul 10, 2026

Published online: Oct 13, 2026

Published in print: Sep 1, 2026

Published by: European Research University

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

Electoral Competition,

Environmental Policy,

Public Goods,

Indonesia

Related subjects:

Business and economics,

Law,

© 2026 Dini Tiara Sasmi, Rendi Prayuda, Muhammad Arsy Ash Shiddiqy, published by European Research University
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 17 (2026): Issue 3 (September 2026)