Joko Widodo inaugurated as Indonesian president Photogallery

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Joko Widodo inaugurated as Indonesian president

Indonesia's Joko Widodo took over as president of the world's third-largest democracy on Monday with supporters' hopes high but pressing economic problems and sceptical rivals set to test the former furniture businessman.

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02 / 12

Widodo's narrow victory over a former general in July's election marked the first time in the young democracy's history that a president was elected from outside the established military and political elite.

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03 / 12

"I swear by Allah to fulfil the duties of President of the Republic of Indonesia to the best of my capabilities and in the fairest way possible," Widodo said, reading the oath of office, at a ceremony in a packed parliament.

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US secretary of state John Kerry attended the inauguration along with various Asian leaders including the prime ministers of neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore, the Sultan of Brunei and Australia's prime minister.

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"He has climbed up to the top of the pyramid but he's still weak within the powerful political class," said Achmad Sukarsono, a political analyst at the Habibie Centre, think-tank. "He needs time to be seen and accepted as part of that class otherwise he will face resistance."

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Widodo has been struggling to build support in parliament without indulging in the old game of trading support for jobs, but his refusal to swap cabinet posts for backing has driven unaligned parties to the opposition, leaving him with a minority that is set to face resistance to his reforms.

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07 / 12

Even Widodo's staunchest supporters have worried that his principles might stymie his reforms. But the lean, affable president with a common touch has been resolutely optimistic about working with the legislature.

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After weeks of gridlock, Widodo last week sought to improve ties when he met with opposition leader Prabowo Subianto and prominent opposition member Aburizal Bakrie, who congratulated him and pledged to support his government, though reserving the right to criticise when necessary.

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09 / 12

"Widodo's initiative suggests that the former Jakarta governor is becoming adept at navigating in national politics," political analyst Kevin O'Rourke wrote in a research note.

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