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PDI-P holds key to gubernatorial victory in Jakarta, analyst says
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Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri (left) talks to Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (center) and Deputy Jakarta Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat in a swearing-in ceremony at the governor's office, Jakarta, in 2014. (KOMPAS.COM/Lucky Francisca)
T
he Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) may hold the key to the Jakarta governorship given the ruling party's success stories in the 2012 Jakarta gubernatorial election and 2014 legislative and presidential election, as the party's support is being sought after by candidates for next year’s gubernatorial election.
As the ruling party with a streak of victories in recent elections, specifically the victory of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in the last presidential election, support from the PDI-P would significantly boost a candidate’s chances, political analyst of Charta Politika Yunarto Wijaya said on Monday.
“Looking at it from political psychology, the candidate supported by the PDI-P will [essentially] be supported by the government,” Yunarto told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and Gerindra party candidate and businessman Sandiaga Uno both hope to win over the party led by chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri for next year's election. Ahok, who had already secured the support of the Golkar, Nasdem and Hanura parties has also stated his hopes for the PDI-P's endorsement.
The PDI-P, as the party holding the most seats in the Jakarta City Council, can nominate its own gubernatorial candidate according to the threshold set by the General Elections Commission (KPU). Although, the party has yet to announce its selection. The Gerindra Party had started intense coordination with the PDI-P and even offered the governor post to the PDI-P if paired with Sandiaga as deputy governor and agreed to form a coalition, a Gerindra Jakarta campaign team member said over the weekend.
Ahok could potentially win by a landslide if he secured the PDI-P’s support. There would not be any contenders strong enough to defeat Ahok if that happened, Yunarto predicted.
"But if the PDI-P decided not to back Ahok, it will definitely impact the outcome of the election because Ahok would have to run against the strongest political party [in the city and country]," he added. (rin)
