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Jokowi’s son a shoo-in for Surakarta election
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's eldest son and Surakarta mayoral candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka speaks to journalists at the regional headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in Surakarta, Central Java, on July 17. (Antara/Mohammad Ayudha)
L
ike father, like son. Gibran Rakabuming Raka, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s eldest son, is primed to easily rise to political power through the upcoming mayoral election in Surakarta, Central Java, just like Jokowi 15 years ago.
Gibran, like Jokowi, has had no experience in politics prior to running but is backed by the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which has held Surakarta since Jokowi’s first win. What makes all the difference is now Gibran also has the number one politician behind him.
Gibran and his running mate, Teguh Prakosa of the PDI-P, would have gone unchallenged if an independent pair had not entered their bid at the last minute. But how important is the presence of Gibran’s competitors in this election?
Gibran becomes more popular despite ‘dynasty’ boos
Controversies emerged as a reminder of yet another political dynasty in the making since the PDI-P recommended Gibran for the top ticket, while the party also picked Jokowi’s son-in-law Bobby Nasution for the mayoral race in Medan, North Sumatra.
Nevertheless, Gibran’s popularity and electability have been increasingly promising.
A survey conducted by the Indonesia Public Institute (IPI) in November put Gibran’s popularity rate at 98.5 percent, whereas Gibran’s current rival, Bagyo Wahyono, was at 50.8 percent.
