Following a disappointing performance in teh 21st presidential election, the People Power Party (PPP) is facing increasing calls for a thorough reconstruction of conservative politics. The urgency stems from the party’s failure to regain power and the subsequent need to restore public trust. This comes after the 22nd National Assembly elections last year, where the PPP secured only 108 seats, leading to a handover of the regime.

Key Issues Plaguing the Conservative Camp

Political analysts have identified several critical issues that have contributed to the conservative camp’s struggles:

• External Blood Transfusions: over-reliance on recruiting outsiders with high poll numbers rather of nurturing internal talent.
• Interest Group Behavior: The perception of the party as a collection of individuals primarily focused on securing nominations for public elections rather than a unified ideological community.
• Decision-Making Disconnect: Party decisions that appear detached from public sentiment, often driven by political maneuvering rather than consensus.
• Politicians’ Self-Preservation: Active politicians prioritizing their own well-being over actively supporting the party and persuading middle-ground voters.

The Problem of External Recruitment

One of the primary criticisms leveled against the PPP is its tendency to prioritize recruiting individuals from outside the party based on their popularity in polls, rather than developing and promoting candidates from within its own ranks. This approach has been described as a thin attempt to gain speedy electoral advantages.

interest Groups Over Ideology

Concerns have been raised that the PPP operates more as a collection of interest groups focused on securing nominations for public elections than as a cohesive ideological community. One party member stated:

If the opinion survey rate is high, external personnel can accept the party at any time, and the active lawmakers, which are the main members of the party, are not interested in the direction of the party’s right to exercise the nomination. I can catch it.

People Power Party Member

Decision-Making and Party Unity

The party’s leadership has also faced criticism for making decisions, such as candidate unification efforts, that are perceived as being driven by political engineering rather than genuine consensus-building within the party. This has lead to accusations of decisions being made that do not obtain consent from the members of the party.

The role of Active Politicians

Another concern is the perceived lack of engagement from active politicians within the PPP. Instead of actively supporting the party’s platform and working to persuade middle-ground voters, some politicians are seen as prioritizing their own well-being, which weakens the conservative party’s overall appeal.

Concerns About the Future

There are fears that the current situation, with active lawmakers perhaps hesitant to challenge the status quo, could hinder the party’s ability to undergo meaningful renewal. The concern is that these lawmakers may be more inclined to minimize political remarks while observing the trend of the party rather than making a voice calling for innovation.

A Call for Unity

Despite the challenges, some within the conservative camp believe that unity is essential for overcoming adversity. The sentiment is that the more difficult times, the more you have to come together and die when it is scattered.