While Ganjar looks set to run in the upcoming race on a religious-nationalist platform that the country’s largest nationalist party appeared to construct via electoral partnership with the Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP), a big question remains about who will be his running mate.

PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said this week talks about who would fill the vice-presidential slot would be “dynamic” as the party would look for a figure who could “complement” and help the Central Java Governor win the 2024 presidential race.

“The best figure to accompany Ganjar will be sought by weighing […] dual and complementary leadership models, how the cooperation of the political parties will be built and [joint] efforts to win,” Hasto said. “It cannot be dismissed that the presidential and vice-presidential candidates need 50 percent plus one vote."

The subject of who will become Ganjar’s running mate had been discussed between chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri and President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo prior to the party’s announcement of Ganjar’s nomination, Hasto said. This included, he added, during their private three-hour meeting back in March, during which the President underlined his concern over the longevity of his legacy and the two “came to the same understanding” on who the party should nominate.

Megawati, who has an undisputable veto on the party’s nomination of presidential and vice-presidential candidates, said last month she was in no rush to make up her mind over the vice-presidential pick, with “more than 10 figures” having lined up to be Ganjar’s running mate.

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