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PDI-P maintains close ties, sees future with Gerindra
Prabowo Subianto may run with Puan Maharani in the 2024 presidential election against the likes of Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno.
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Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto (second left) and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri (third left) smile while taking a photo with Megawati's daughter Puan Maharani on the sidelines of the opening of a PDI-P congress in Bali. (JP/Zul Trio Anggono)
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lthough it will be a while before the 2024 presidential election begins, the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Gerindra Party have again showed close relations that may set the foundation for their future coalition.
As the Constitution prevents President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo from running for a third term, the 2024 election will give political parties the opportunity to nominate their own members or support other prospective candidates.
PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has kept close ties with Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto. She helped the former Army general who ran against Jokowi in last year’s election to reconcile with his former rival and join the government. Prabowo is also frequently seen at many PDI-P events.
The latest was on Friday, in which both attended the inauguration of a statue of Sukarno, the country’s first president and Megawati’s father, at the Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java.
Also in attendance were other party figures or those close to Megawati, including her daughter House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani, National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Budi Gunawan, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and Army chief of staff Gen. Andika Perkasa.
PDI-P executive Hendrawan Supratikno told The Jakarta Post the party was maintaining a relationship for “future cooperation” with Gerindra. "It is indeed fostered and maintained through cooperation in the regional elections, in the legislature and in the Cabinet," he said.
Hendrawan said discussions about a possible coalition for the 2024 election might be too early, but the PDI-P had prepared potential presidential and vice-presidential candidates of various backgrounds and political parties.
