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PAN's Zulkifli to meet with Megawati for 'coalition talks'
The incumbent trade minister said he would talk about the "possibility of collaborating" on the 2024 race at his party's first formal meeting with the PDI-P.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (fourth left) walks with National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Zulkifli Hasan (right) and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri (third left), along with other party leaders from his ruling coalition, to attend a luncheon at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on June 15, 2022, prior to the inauguration of new Cabinet ministers. (Biro Pers dan Sekretariat Presiden/Laily Rachev)
National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Zulkifli Hasan is scheduled to meet with Megawati Soekarnoputri, his counterpart from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), for what he described as "coalition talks” on Friday afternoon.
"Officially, this is our first meeting with Bu [Mrs.], Megawati and we will talk about exploring the possibility of collaborating for the 2024 presidential election," Zulkifli said, as quoted by Antara.
He added that he held frequent meetings with the PDI-P leadership in his capacity as the incumbent trade minister.
"As of June 15 last year, I was appointed trade minister by Pak [Mr.] Jokowi, and as a member of the ruling coalition, I often hold meetings with fellow coalition members," he said.
Zulkifli is to be joined at the meeting by several members of the PAN central executive board, while Megawati is to be accompanied by PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto as well as Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, both PDI-P members.
PAN, along with the United Development Party (PPP), is part of the Golkar Party-led the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB), an electoral alliance that was formed for the parties to nominate their own presidential candidate.
Following the PPP’s decision to back PDI-P candidate Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, however, both PAN and Golkar have mulled over nominating their own chairmen for next year’s presidential election. This could lead to a four-horse race amid the perceived deadlock in fielding potential running mates.
