DEWI SUSANTI'S POLITICAL STRATEGIES AND MODALITIES IN WINNING THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE ELECTION IN PADANG CITY

Abstract

This article discusses the strategy and political modalities used by Dewi Susanti in winning
the 2024 Legislative Election in Padang City. Dewi Susanti is one of the few female politicians
who succeeded in sitting in the Padang City DPRD seat for three consecutive periods. The
author is interested in knowing the factors behind the success, especially in the context of the
low representation of women in the local parliament. This article uses a qualitative approach
with a case study type, as well as capital theory from Pierre Bourdieu as the basis for analysis.
The purpose of this article is to describe the strategy and modality that Dewi Susanti built in
the 2024 legislative election victory in Padang City. The results of this article show that Dewi
Susanti optimally utilises four types of political capital, social, economic, cultural, and symbolic capital in building trust and a strong political network in society. In addition, its success is also inseparable from the community-based approach, Minangkabau cultural values, and attention to gender issues. This finding shows that the success of female politicians depends not only on popularity, but also on appropriate and sustainable political strategies and modalities.