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PDI-P move puts Prabowo on the spot
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Presumptive presidential nominee from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Ganjar Pranowo (right) and his runnning mate Mahfud MD hold hands after the party announces the latter as the presumptive vice presidential candidate at the PDI-P headquarters in Jakarta on Oct. 18, 2023. (Antara/M Risyal Hidayat)
The decision of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to name popular Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) figure Mahfud MD as Ganjar Pranowo’s running mate, analysts say, could force Prabowo Subianto’s electoral alliance to reconsider its plan to pair the former general with Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
The PDI-P announced its Ganjar-Mahfud ticket on Wednesday amid speculation that Prabowo would immediately tap Gibran as his running mate, following a controversial Constitutional Court ruling that effectively removed the legal barrier for him to contest the presidential election.
“[Mahfud] is a well-known figure whose thinking I understand,” PDI-P matriarch Megawati Soekarnoputri told a packed press conference at the party’s headquarters in Jakarta.
“He is an honest, brave person whose commitment and idealism are unquestionable, [and who has] an exceptionally broad portfolio,” she said.
Mahfud, who serves as the coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister in Jokowi’s cabinet, said he was ready to join the race for the nation’s top job.
“Together with Ganjar, I will dedicate myself, all my abilities, knowledge, experiences, to the nation and the state of Indonesia,” the 66-year-old said in his nomination speech.
NU connection
