The elections of 2004 were the first to provide for direct voting for the president and vice president. This provision had been secured during the administration of Sukarnoputri in August 2002 through the People's Consultative Assembly, the highest body in the nation.
Although Yudhoyono was elected with an overwhelming 61% vote during the second round against his rival, Megavati Sukarnoputri, his party did not have even a simple majority in the national assembly.
His program was to boost the economy, to rehabilitate the victims of tsunami, to actively combat corruption and to resolve separatist movement in Acheh, Papua and Maluka.