Some 30 Christian leaders from across the archipelago showed their support for Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, following his nomination for the 2024 presidential race by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

The clergy, who included those from North Sumatra, Riau Islands, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, North Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara and Papua, attended an open house hosted by Ganjar at his hometown in Tawangmangu in Karanganyar regency, Central Java, on Monday.

“We come from all over Indonesia. We wish you and your family a happy Idul Fitri,” Pastor Japarlin Marbun of Jakarta told Ganjar in the event. “We are relieved you are officially a presidential candidate; we have [placed our] hopes in you.”

Pastor Francky Londa of Manado, North Sulawesi, lauds Ganjar as a leader who consistently upholds tolerance and religious moderation.

“Such leaders are demanded [by the public],” Francky said.

The clergy were among more than 6,000 guests attending the event.

Voters are highly likely to be casting their ballots in a three-horse presidential race come 2024, following Ganjar’s nomination.

Party leaders had earlier floated the idea of building a major alliance of parties supporting President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as a unified front to take on former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, who is backed by NasDem Party and opposition parties, with the hope next year’s election could conclude in a single round.

With Ganjar on the PDI-P’s ticket, chances are high the presidential race will need a second round, given that none of the potential contender, Ganjar, Anies or Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto, are likely to garner the more than 50 percent of the vote that is legally required to win. (dre)

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