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Slim chance for Sandiaga to lead Gerindra
Businessman-turned-politician Sandiaga Uno may have to bury his intention to become Gerindra Party chairman as incumbent Prabowo Subianto looks to retain his chairmanship at a party congress in April.
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Businessman and former Jakarta deputy governor Sandiaga Uno speaks at a discussion about the impact of the coronavirus on the economy on March 7. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak)
Businessman-turned-politician Sandiaga Uno may have to bury his intention to become Gerindra Party chairman as incumbent Prabowo Subianto looks to retain his chairmanship at a party congress in April.
Sandiaga claimed several Gerindra members wanted him to run for the party chairmanship at the April congress. However, the former vice-presidential candidate is aware of the fact that whether he will run or not depends on Prabowo, his running mate in the 2019 presidential election, who has held the position since 2014.
Prabowo, on the other hand, has secured backing from 70 percent of the party’s regional executive boards (DPD) across the country to extend his term as the chairman, according to Gerindra executive Andre Rosiade.
"Nearly 70 percent of the DPDs held regional leadership meetings last week. There is only one name for the party chairmanship. Only Prabowo. There is no Sandiaga at all,” Andre told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Andre, therefore, questioned Sandiaga’s claim, saying he was optimistic that the remaining 30 percent, which will hold their regional leadership meetings next week would also opt for Prabowo.
“Prabowo is the most competent one. We asked for his willingness. It's not that he belittles Sandiaga, but there is no other name besides [Prabowo’s].”
