Hatta likely to run for VP in 2014: Politician

Greater Indonesian Movement Party (Gerindra) member Martin Hutabarat says National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s in-law-to-be, Hatta Rajasa, is probably being groomed to serve as a vice presidential candidate in the 2014 election.

“It is most likely Hatta will run with Ani Yudhoyono in the 2014 election, as her vice presidential candidate,” Martin said Sunday as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

Martin added that the upcoming wedding of the President's youngest son, Edhie “Ibas” Baskoro Yudhoyono, to Hatta’s daughter, Siti Rubiya Aliya Rajasa, later this month, was a clear indication of the families expected political alignment.

“The Democratic Party and PAN coalition in 2014 is likely to happen,” he said.

Martin also pointed out that the Ani–Hatta ticket could be a strong contender for Gerindra patron Prabowo Subianto, particularly because it was a mix of genders and Javanese and Sumatran candidates.

Commenting on this, Democratic Party senior politician Ahmad Mubarok said the speculation was “too early".

However, Ahmad confirmed that the wedding had strengthened

coalition ties between the Democratic Party and PAN.