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Jokowi’s French connection
Macron’s victory over far-right Euroskeptic, anti-Islam and antimigrant Marine Le Pen represents the triumph of common sense.
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French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron celebrate after his victory in France's presidential election, at the Champ de Mars in Paris, on April 24, 2022. (AFP/Bertrand Guay)
The quick and warm congratulatory message from President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to reelected French President Emmanuel Macron, whom he referred to as “my friend”, demonstrates a closer and more mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. During their encounters in big multilateral events, such as the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Rome last October, Macron and Jokowi often displayed a warm friendship in public.
In his official Instagram on Monday, Jokowi expressed his hope that the G20, which groups the world’s 20 largest economies, and the 20-member European Union (EU), which the two leaders chair respectively this year, will collaborate closely. Indonesia’s presidency of the G20 is facing a serious stumbling block following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Led by United States President Joe Biden, the West has threatened to boycott the ministerial meetings and the leaders’ summit in Bali later this year if Indonesia invites Russian President Vladimir Putin or if Ukraine is not invited to Bali. Jokowi hopes Macron’s influence will help moderate the tensions within the G20.
Macron’s victory over far-right Euroskeptic, anti-Islam and anti-immigrant Marine Le Pen represents the triumph of common sense. If Le Pen were in power, the world would have to pay more dearly.
Her close relationship with Putin was often regarded as her advantage but this has turned out to be a liability after the invasion of Ukraine. Under Macron for the next five years, France will remain at the center of the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) along with Germany. There is a sense of global political certainty thanks to Macron’s victory.
Bilaterally Indonesia needs a trusted partner in the EU, and Jokowi has developed a strong chemistry with his French counterpart. After their bilateral meeting in Rome on Oct. 30, 2021, using the Indonesian language, Macron said on his Facebook “together with our partners, we will continue to act that the Indo-Pacific region will remain an area for peace and cooperation. In this regard, Indonesia is the main actor, more than just a partner that is my friend, the honorable Joko Widodo”.
In Rome, the two leaders discussed the planned purchase of French weaponry such as Rafale fighter jets and submarines. The French leader also apparently agreed to give more concessions to Indonesian palm oil exports amid resistance from EU members for environmental reasons. The EU has threatened to completely ban the import of palm oil in 2030, but the invasion of Ukraine will likely change that story because the war is affecting supplies of sunflower oil from Ukraine.
Indonesia also needs more reliable defense and security partners like France. Indonesia has found difficulties in procuring US weapons and spare parts because Washington links sales with human rights issues. This is very disturbing especially now Indonesia is the world’s third-largest democracy after India and the US itself.
President Macron received Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto at the Élysée Palace in March, more than a month after Indonesia finalized the purchase of 42 Rafale fighter jets worth US$8.1 billion, including six for immediate production, and signed an exploratory agreement for the possible purchase of two Scorpene submarines.
President Jokowi’s connection with Macron will be crucial in advancing Indonesia’s diplomacy and interests in the eurozone. That is why Jokowi wasted no time in congratulating Macron for his victory.
