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‘Why not?’: Prabowo fuels speculation of third presidential bid
Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto hinted at a possible return to the election trail during a surprise appearance on a popular-yet-polarizing talk show, which experts believe will give him the exposure needed to be considered for a third presidential bid.
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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 group selfie with Megawati's daughter Puan Maharani on the sidelines of the PDI-P congress in Bali in 2019. (JP/Zul Trio Anggono)
D
efense Minister Prabowo Subianto has rarely made headlines beyond issues related to his ministerial duties, ever since he reconciled with his two-time rival President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo after the 2019 election.
He and running mate Sandiaga Uno had joined Jokowi’s Indonesia Onward Cabinet, resulting in a grand coalition that commanded vast political support to realize the government's many ambitions.
But the Gerindra Party patron recently made his way back into the limelight following a surprise appearance on a podcast with a cult following and several political gestures to mend fences with Megawati Soekarnoputri, matron of the ruling Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
Political observers are convinced that these beats are part of a larger plot to shore early support for Prabowo in the lead up to the 2024 presidential election.
In an episode of a popular video podcast that aired on Sunday, Prabowo told the polarizing talk show host Deddy Corbuzier of his willingness to enter the race in the next presidential election, although he conceded that it might be difficult for him to win without the backing of other political parties.
“If it is to serve and [I] am given the mandate and the opportunity [to become president], then why not?” Prabowo said during the show. “[But] we cannot move forward on our own; there has to be support from left and right. It’s not that easy.”
The video podcast was published on YouTube and had garnered more than 8 million views as of Wednesday.
