downturn , have kept him on top of the polls , according to James Castle , who analyzes Indonesian politics and economy . Castle said despite the influence of Islam on Indonesian politics , voters are more concerned about economic issues . `` Like everywhere in the world , economics is the key factor , '' he said . `` It 's quite clear from all these surveys , when inflation was high , the president 's popularity is low . Now that inflation has come down , the president 's popularity is high , and he and his party are doing very well in the polls coming into the election . '' So far , Indonesia has not felt the impact of the global recession , partly because its economy is more isolated than other countries ' . But the government has taken steps to protect the currency and the economy from the downturn , Castle said . `` This will probably just be a speed bump for Indonesia , '' he said . Although financial issues are the main concern for voters in Indonesia -- where poverty is rampant -- Yudyohono 's Democratic Party has recently had to
JAKARTA , Indonesia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Islamic parties in Indonesia will not get enough votes in the coming election to nominate a presidential candidate , according to polls , analysts and an Islamic party official . Supporters of Indonesia 's Democratic Party of Struggle take part in a campaign event in Jakarta on March 24 . Nevertheless , the influence of Islam on politics in Indonesia -- the world 's most populous Muslim country -- has many nationalist parties changing their strategy . The April 9 national elections will determine the makeup of Indonesia 's 550-seat parliament , as well as its regional representation council , provincial , county and city assemblies . More than 38 parties are vying for these seats , but very few are expected to get the 20 percent of parliamentary seats needed to nominate a presidential candidate in the July election . In fact , the only party expected to meet the 20 percent threshold is President Susilo Bambang Yudyohono 's Democratic Party . Other parties will have to join alliances to nominate a president . Yudyohono 's `` charming '' personality , and his government 's ability to weather the current worldwide financial