In a move aimed at projecting himself as the popular president’s rightful successor, Prabowo reintroduced his five-way electoral alliance on Monday as “team Jokowi” and renamed it the “Onward Indonesia Coalition” after the President’s current Onward Indonesia Cabinet.

The move came after more pro-Jokowi parties joined the retired general’s electoral alliance, which initially consisted only of his own party, Gerindra, and the Islam-based National Awakening Party (PKB). Now, the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party and the Crescent and Star Party have thrown their lot in with Prabowo, making him the candidate with the greatest number of political parties supporting him.

After years of questions about whether the retired general would, once again, enter the upcoming presidential race after losing on two previous occasions – three counting his vice presidential bid in 2009 – Prabowo appeared to be brimming with confidence on Monday as he reflected the support for his third presidential bid.

“I suppose this is what encouraged me: Major historical parties are now trusting me, giving me their trust to ask the people for a mandate [to lead the country],” Prabowo said.

He has in recent months been seeking to capitalize on his perceived closeness to Jokowi, consistently reaffirming his decision to join Jokowi’s cabinet and singing the praises of the President, even suggesting that Jokowi was serving as a sort of political mentor for him.

“I was defeated twice in elections by Pak Joko Widodo. Now I continue to learn from him. There's no need to be shy about learning, right? If it's about geopolitical defense, ask Prabowo Subianto. If it's about politics, I must ask [the President],” Prabowo said.