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Golkar and Jokowi have close ties, confirms Airlangga
The country's oldest political party appears to be throwing in its lot with the outgoing President in a win-win strategy as it prepares to stake its predicted majority claim on legislative seats.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (center left) and Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto (center right) attend a Golkar national congress in Jakarta on Dec. 3, 2019. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
G
olkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto stated on Sunday that the party had a special relationship with outgoing President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, given its long history of supporting his policies.
Airlangga, who is also the coordinating economic minister, was responding a reporter’s question on whether Jokowi would join the party in preparation for his postpresidential political career.
"It has been a close relationship. We have walked side by side for a long time. Just look at our political ads featuring the President, this could be an indication of the level of comfort he [feels] with us," he said, as quoted by state-owned news agency Antara.
Airlangga’s Golkar chairmanship ends in December this year, paving the way for the country's oldest political party to hold a national congress to elect its new leader.
A number of senior ministers are reportedly eyeing the party's top job, including Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, who is expected to make his bid as Jokowi’s proxy.
Speculation is rife that factions within the party are attempting to bring forward the national congress to August, before presumptive winner Prabowo Subianto is inaugurated in October and forms his administration.
Golkar is set to become the biggest political faction in the House, with informal tallies showing it could win around 109 out of 580 seats in the legislature, a significant increase from the 85 seats it held in 2019-2024.
