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Jokowi, Megawati rift may deepen
The rift between Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) matron Megawati Soekarnoputri and her politician President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is expected to deepen should his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka decide to run for vice president after the controversial court ruling opens the way for the mayor to enter the race.
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Secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Hasto Kristiyanto (left) holds a meeting on May 22, 2023, with Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka (right) in Jakarta. (The Jakarta Post/Antara)
T
he rift between Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) matron Megawati Soekarnoputri and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is expected to deepen should his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka decide to run for vice president after the controversial court ruling opens the way for the mayor to enter the race.
With the Constitutional Court altering the candidacy requirements for the presidential election next year, it is now up to 36-year-old Surakarta Mayor Gibran, and his father, to seize the opportunity to forge an alliance with Prabowo Subianto of the Gerindra Party and compete with the PDI-P.
Like his father, Gibran is a member of the PDI-P, which has announced that its presidential candidate is former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, and whose chairwoman, Megawati, has a tense relationship with Jokowi.
Gibran has not officially announced any intention of running in the upcoming race, but politicians supporting the presidential candidacy of Defense Minister Prabowo have asked for Gibran to be Prabowo’s running mate.
However, after repeatedly downplaying speculation that he would take the offer to run as Prabowo’s running mate, Gibran, who will be summoned to the PDI-P leadership in Jakarta on Wednesday following the ruling, hinted that he would reveal his final decision after the meeting.
“Let’s wait for tomorrow’s meeting between me and party leadership. This is not a personal matter, [I] have to consult with many sides beforehand," Gibran said in Surakarta as quoted by Kompas.com.
Jumping ship
