Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno’s caretaker roles in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s cabinet may be an opportunity to increase his chances of becoming a vice-presidential candidate in next year’s election, observers have said, especially as recent polls show he needs a push to get ahead of his rivals.

Sandiaga is considered a top contender to receive a vice-presidential nomination according to polls, along with State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir and West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil.

However, a recent survey from the research arm of Kompas daily found that Sandiaga’s electability had declined from a peak of 12.4 percent in January to 8.2 percent in August. He now sits in second place behind Ridwan, but ahead of Erick.

The situation was exacerbated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which seemingly becoming more disinterested in picking Sandiaga, a United Development Party (PPP) politician, as the running mate of the ruling party’s presidential pick Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo.

The PPP is currently joining forces with the PDI-P after declaring its support for Ganjar, leaving behind the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) led by the Golkar Party.

Read also: Vice-presidential candidates in focus in alliance talks

But his appointment to two temporary minister positions in Jokowi’s cabinet might serve as an opportunity for the former deputy Jakarta governor to prove his worth.

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