Analysis of the constitutional court's decision on the age limit of presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the perspective of Rechtstaat

https://doi.org/10.35912/dpd.v3i2.3279
Published: Aug 6, 2025

Abstract:

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the Constitutional Court Decision Number 90/PUU-XXI/2023 on the age limit for presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the perspective of Rechtsstaat and the principle of Trias Politica, emphasizing the rule of law and the balance of power in a democratic legal state..

Research methodology: The research employs a normative legal approach using a conceptual and statutory approach. It analyzes constitutional provisions, legal theories, and judicial decisions to evaluate the decision's alignment with the principles of the rule of law and separation of powers.

Results: The findings reveal that the Constitutional Court’s partial granting of the petition on the age requirement reflects potential political influence, thereby raising questions regarding judicial neutrality and deviation from Trias Politica. The Court’s justification as an “open legal policy” illustrates a blurred line between judicial interpretation and legislative authority, which undermines the Rechtsstaat ideal that demands strict legal consistency and institutional balance.

Conclusions: The decision highlights a deviation from the principles of a legal state (Rechtsstaat) and Trias Politica, as the judiciary may have overstepped its role, thereby affecting public trust and the integrity of the rule of law.

Limitations: This study is limited to doctrinal analysis and does not include empirical assessment of political impacts or public perception.

Contribution: The research contributes to scholarly discourse on the intersection of law and politics in Indonesia, offering a critical evaluation of judicial behavior within the framework of constitutional democracy.

Keywords:
1. Constitutional Court Decision
2. Concept of Rechtsstaat
3. Trias Politica
Authors:
Hendra Agu Ate
Nusa Cendana University, Kupang, Indonesia
View PDF
How to Cite
Ate, H. A. . (2025). Analysis of the constitutional court’s decision on the age limit of presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the perspective of Rechtstaat. Dynamics of Politics and Democracy, 3(2), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.35912/dpd.v3i2.3279
Download Citation
  1. Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
  2. BibTeX

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Issue & Section
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2024): February
Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

References

    Adrie. (2021). Netralitas Pegawai Negeri Sipil (PNS) dalam Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Ditinjau dari Perspektif Hukum Kepegawaian. Jurnal Yustitia, 15(1), 35-49. doi:https://doi.org/10.62279/yustitia.v15i1.699

    Asmarudin, I., Fauzan, M., Nasihuddin, A. A., Ardhanariswari, R., Hariyanto, H., & Nunna, B. P. (2024). Initiating the Reform of Principle Norms in the Formation of Laws in Indonesia. Jurnal IUS Kajian Hukum Dan Keadilan, 12(2), 208-226. doi:https://doi.org/10.29303/ius.v12i2.1390

    Basniwati, A. (2015). Hubungan DPR dan BPK dalam Melaksanakan Fungsi Pengawasan. Jurnal Hukum JATISWARA, 30(1), 131-146. doi:https://doi.org/10.29303/jtsw.v30i1.94

    Budi, M. W. A. S. (2022). Indonesian State System Based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution: A Contemporary Developments. Indonesian Journal of Pancasila and Global Constitutionalism, 1(1), 1-16. doi:https://doi.org/10.15294/ijpgc.v1i1.56875

    Butar-Butar, K. E., & Turisno, B. E. (2022). Juridic Review of Granting Rights to Flat Units to Foreign Citizens Based on the Provisions of Legislation in Indonesia. Awang Long Law Review, 4(2), 409-418. doi:https://doi.org/10.56301/awl.v4i2.454

    Buyse, A., Fortin, K., Leyh, B. M., & Fraser, J. (2021). The Rule of Law from Below – A Concept Under Development. Utrecht Law Review, 17(2), 1-7. doi:https://doi.org/10.36633/ulr.771

    Harianto, M. (2025). Legal Analysis of Determination of the Status of Evidence in the Criminal Case of Corruption of TWP AD in the Supreme Court's Cassation Decision Number 407-K/MIL/2023. Annals of Justice and Humanity, 4(1), 35-50. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ajh.v4i1.2878

    Isnaeni, B. (2021). Trias Politica dan Implikasinya dalam Struktur Kelembagaan Negara dalam UUD 1945 Pasca Amandemen. Jurnal Magister Ilmu Hukum, 6(2), 78-91. doi:https://doi.org/10.36722/jmih.v6i2.839

    Kliemt, H. (2024). The Nature and Significance of the Political Ideal of the Rule of Law: Hayek, Buchanan, and Beyond. Kyklos, 77(4), 1084-1102. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/kykl.12407

    Kurnia, M. H., & Hakim, L. (2024). Development of Positive Law in Indonesia. Rechtsnormen Journal of Law, 1(4), 62-69. doi:https://doi.org/10.55849/rjl.v2i1.537

    Muabezi, Z. A. (2017). Negara Berdasarkan Hukum (Rechtsstaats) Bukan Kekuasaan (Machtsstaat). Jurnal Hukum Dan Peradilan, 6(3), 421-446. doi:https://doi.org/10.25216/jhp.6.3.2017.421-446

    Nasution, K. (2020). Indonesian Judicial Power Post Amendment. Mimbar Keadilan, 13(1), 85-95. doi:https://doi.org/10.30996/mk.v13i1.2997

    Nikhio, A., Amalia, C. S., & Irawan, Z. (2023). Penegakan hukum di Indonesia: Peran pemerintah dalam mewujudkannya. Indigenous Knowledge, 2(6), 414-423.

    Ruhenda, Heldi, Mustapa, H., & Septiadi, M. A. (2020). Tinjauan Trias Politika Terhadap Terbentuknya Sistem Politik dan Pemerintahan di Indonesia. Journal of Governance and Social Policy, 1(2), 58-69. doi:https://doi.org/10.24815/gaspol.v1i2.18221

    Safitri, M., & Wibowo, A. (2023). Peranan Mahkamah Konstitusi di Negara Indonesia (Mengenal Mahkamah Konstitusi): Constitutional Court, Verdict. Jurnal Penelitian Multidisiplin, 2(1), 71-76. doi:https://doi.org/10.58705/jpm.v2i1.106

    Simanjuntak, J. H. (2025). Legal Analysis of Judge's Considerations in the Decision of Expiration of Prosecution to be Resolved Legally in Military Discipline (Case Study Decision of the Main Military Court Number:27-K/PMU/BDG/AD/VI/2023). Annals of Justice and Humanity, 4(1), 21-34. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ajh.v4i1.2877

    Sunnqvist, M. (2022). The Rechtsstaat in a Substantive and a Formal Sense: Revisiting the Theory Development of the 1830s and 1840s. Giornale di storia costituzionale, 44(2), 81-92.

    Suparto. (2016). Pemisahan Kekuasaan, Konstitusi dan Kekuasaan Kehakiman yang Independen Menurut Islam. Jurnal Selat, 4(1), 115-129.

    Syahputra, D. H. (2023). Perbandingan Teori dan Praktik Tata Negara Antara Indonesia Dengan Inggris Hingga Amerika Serikat. Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Prima, 6(2), 342-353.

    Usman. (2023). Konsep Negara Hukum dan Keabsahan Negara Hukum. SAMAWA: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Islam, 3(2), 70-84. doi:https://doi.org/10.53948/samawa.v3i2.89

    Zumbansen, P. (2018). The Rule of Law, Legal Pluralism, and Challenges to a Western-Centric View: Some Very Preliminary Observations Handbook on the Rule of Law (pp. 57-74). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.

  1. Adrie. (2021). Netralitas Pegawai Negeri Sipil (PNS) dalam Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Ditinjau dari Perspektif Hukum Kepegawaian. Jurnal Yustitia, 15(1), 35-49. doi:https://doi.org/10.62279/yustitia.v15i1.699
  2. Asmarudin, I., Fauzan, M., Nasihuddin, A. A., Ardhanariswari, R., Hariyanto, H., & Nunna, B. P. (2024). Initiating the Reform of Principle Norms in the Formation of Laws in Indonesia. Jurnal IUS Kajian Hukum Dan Keadilan, 12(2), 208-226. doi:https://doi.org/10.29303/ius.v12i2.1390
  3. Basniwati, A. (2015). Hubungan DPR dan BPK dalam Melaksanakan Fungsi Pengawasan. Jurnal Hukum JATISWARA, 30(1), 131-146. doi:https://doi.org/10.29303/jtsw.v30i1.94
  4. Budi, M. W. A. S. (2022). Indonesian State System Based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution: A Contemporary Developments. Indonesian Journal of Pancasila and Global Constitutionalism, 1(1), 1-16. doi:https://doi.org/10.15294/ijpgc.v1i1.56875
  5. Butar-Butar, K. E., & Turisno, B. E. (2022). Juridic Review of Granting Rights to Flat Units to Foreign Citizens Based on the Provisions of Legislation in Indonesia. Awang Long Law Review, 4(2), 409-418. doi:https://doi.org/10.56301/awl.v4i2.454
  6. Buyse, A., Fortin, K., Leyh, B. M., & Fraser, J. (2021). The Rule of Law from Below – A Concept Under Development. Utrecht Law Review, 17(2), 1-7. doi:https://doi.org/10.36633/ulr.771
  7. Harianto, M. (2025). Legal Analysis of Determination of the Status of Evidence in the Criminal Case of Corruption of TWP AD in the Supreme Court's Cassation Decision Number 407-K/MIL/2023. Annals of Justice and Humanity, 4(1), 35-50. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ajh.v4i1.2878
  8. Isnaeni, B. (2021). Trias Politica dan Implikasinya dalam Struktur Kelembagaan Negara dalam UUD 1945 Pasca Amandemen. Jurnal Magister Ilmu Hukum, 6(2), 78-91. doi:https://doi.org/10.36722/jmih.v6i2.839
  9. Kliemt, H. (2024). The Nature and Significance of the Political Ideal of the Rule of Law: Hayek, Buchanan, and Beyond. Kyklos, 77(4), 1084-1102. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/kykl.12407
  10. Kurnia, M. H., & Hakim, L. (2024). Development of Positive Law in Indonesia. Rechtsnormen Journal of Law, 1(4), 62-69. doi:https://doi.org/10.55849/rjl.v2i1.537
  11. Muabezi, Z. A. (2017). Negara Berdasarkan Hukum (Rechtsstaats) Bukan Kekuasaan (Machtsstaat). Jurnal Hukum Dan Peradilan, 6(3), 421-446. doi:https://doi.org/10.25216/jhp.6.3.2017.421-446
  12. Nasution, K. (2020). Indonesian Judicial Power Post Amendment. Mimbar Keadilan, 13(1), 85-95. doi:https://doi.org/10.30996/mk.v13i1.2997
  13. Nikhio, A., Amalia, C. S., & Irawan, Z. (2023). Penegakan hukum di Indonesia: Peran pemerintah dalam mewujudkannya. Indigenous Knowledge, 2(6), 414-423.
  14. Ruhenda, Heldi, Mustapa, H., & Septiadi, M. A. (2020). Tinjauan Trias Politika Terhadap Terbentuknya Sistem Politik dan Pemerintahan di Indonesia. Journal of Governance and Social Policy, 1(2), 58-69. doi:https://doi.org/10.24815/gaspol.v1i2.18221
  15. Safitri, M., & Wibowo, A. (2023). Peranan Mahkamah Konstitusi di Negara Indonesia (Mengenal Mahkamah Konstitusi): Constitutional Court, Verdict. Jurnal Penelitian Multidisiplin, 2(1), 71-76. doi:https://doi.org/10.58705/jpm.v2i1.106
  16. Simanjuntak, J. H. (2025). Legal Analysis of Judge's Considerations in the Decision of Expiration of Prosecution to be Resolved Legally in Military Discipline (Case Study Decision of the Main Military Court Number:27-K/PMU/BDG/AD/VI/2023). Annals of Justice and Humanity, 4(1), 21-34. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ajh.v4i1.2877
  17. Sunnqvist, M. (2022). The Rechtsstaat in a Substantive and a Formal Sense: Revisiting the Theory Development of the 1830s and 1840s. Giornale di storia costituzionale, 44(2), 81-92.
  18. Suparto. (2016). Pemisahan Kekuasaan, Konstitusi dan Kekuasaan Kehakiman yang Independen Menurut Islam. Jurnal Selat, 4(1), 115-129.
  19. Syahputra, D. H. (2023). Perbandingan Teori dan Praktik Tata Negara Antara Indonesia Dengan Inggris Hingga Amerika Serikat. Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Prima, 6(2), 342-353.
  20. Usman. (2023). Konsep Negara Hukum dan Keabsahan Negara Hukum. SAMAWA: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Islam, 3(2), 70-84. doi:https://doi.org/10.53948/samawa.v3i2.89
  21. Zumbansen, P. (2018). The Rule of Law, Legal Pluralism, and Challenges to a Western-Centric View: Some Very Preliminary Observations Handbook on the Rule of Law (pp. 57-74). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.