Presumptive election winner Prabowo Subianto’s meeting with former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), the second since voting ended earlier this month, has sparked speculation about the birth of a new strategic alliance aimed at balancing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s influence over the impending transition of government.

The two former Army generals met on Friday in Cikeas, West Java, where they had a private conversation about the nation’s “future economic outlook” and how to build on Jokowi’s achievements, said Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the current Democratic Party chairman, and son of SBY.

Prior to that, Prabowo flew out to SBY’s hometown of Pacitan in East Java to thank him for his support in the election. This was three days after the Feb. 14 balloting.

Analysts are convinced that the meetings between the two political bigwigs are not just another case of silaturahmi (maintaining social ties), but an indication of a power struggle between Prabowo and the incumbent Jokowi.

Jokowi’s two-time election rival Prabowo looks to have won the presidential race on his third attempt, and by a wide margin, according to the latest official election returns and results from earlier quick count surveys.

He was backed by a 10-way alliance, with his Gerindra Party, the Golkar Party, the Democratic Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN) collectively looking to command 43 percent of the 580 seats at the House of Representatives.

However, many argue that the “Jokowi effect” has also left an indelible mark on the outcome of the 2024 elections.

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