Previously, six parties – the Gerindra Party, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), Golkar Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN) – had declared their support for the young king, who is popularly known as Gusti Bhre, to run in the November election in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s hometown.

Following a meeting with the 26-year-old king on Wednesday, Gerindra Surakarta chapter chairman Ardianto Kuswinarno said the reasons for the withdrawal were personal, relating to family approval.

“Gusti Bhre will not completely step away from this matter. He will continue to support and work toward the success of his replacement, as well as ensure victory for [the Gerindra-led coalition] in Surakarta this year,” Ardianto told reporters.

Gusti Bhre had emerged as a strong contender to succeed Jokowi’s eldest son and vice president-elect Gibran Rakabuming as mayor of the city, topping public opinion surveys for the election.

Ardianto said Gerindra had started raising support for the pairing of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) Surakarta chairman Respati Ardi and Surakarta University rector Astrid Widayani in the race.

Ardianto said Gusti Bhre’s withdrawal had nothing to do with the emergence of Respati and that Gusti Bhre had also recommended Respati’s name.

Tri Mardiyanto, PSI Surakarta chairman, said party chairman and Jokowi’s youngest son Kaesang Pangarep had notified party members of Gusti Bhre’s exit but that the party had not yet decided whether it would support Respati.

“We’re still waiting. Our colleagues are heading to Jakarta to receive recommendations on whom we should support,” Tri said.

A survey by the Analytics Research and Communication Consulting Network (Jarcomm) released in July listed several potential candidates for mayor of Surakarta, putting Gusti Bhre on top of the list with 31.8 percent of voter support. He was followed by incumbent Surakarta Deputy Mayor Teguh Prakosa with 27 percent and Kaesang with 23.4 percent.

In 2022, Surakarta’s Mangkunegara Palace hosted a lavish wedding reception for Kaesang and his bride Erina Gudono with 6,000 invited guests, including VIPs and foreign dignitaries. (dre)