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Airlangga stands ground in Golkar power struggle
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Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto gives a speech during a national working meeting in the party's headquarters in Slipi, West Jakarta, on June 4, 2023. (Antara/Sigid Kurniawan)
G
olkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto has gained an early advantage in a key leadership race to be held later this year as he fights off potential contenders with internal support predicated on a strong showing in the 2024 legislative election.
Golkar is expected to hold a national congress in December at which Airlangga, whose term as chairman is coming to an end, is likely to seek reelection, and he appears to have begun marshalling support for his bid.
On Friday, he gathered in Bali with leaders of Golkar’s regional branches to celebrate the party’s expected strong showing in the race for House of Representatives seats. A number of senior Golkar members were also in attendance, including businessman and former party chairman Aburizal Bakrie and Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan.
Golkar appears to have come in first or second place in the legislative race based on the preliminary vote tally, dominating the contest in 15 of the country’s 38 provinces. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), meanwhile, led in 10 provinces, but is expected to have won the most votes at the national level.
Golkar secretary-general Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus said the regional party leaders had expressed their support for Airlangga to lead the party for another term.
"In essence, chairs of the regional branches, by acclamation, expressed [support] for Airlangga […]. They all appreciate, recognize Airlangga's leadership,” Lodewijk said, as quoted by Tempo.
