The competition ahead of the 2024 elections is heating up as Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the biggest party in the ruling coalition, and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met on March 18 at the State Palace to discuss food sovereignty, foreign policy and the 2024 elections. Speculations are rife that the PDI-P may consider pairing election frontrunners Ganjar Pranowo and Prabowo Subianto, which could lower the chances of a runoff election.

Ganjar, the outgoing Central Java governor, and Prabowo, the defense minister and chairman of the Gerindra Party, were touted as a prospective presidential and vice-presidential candidate pair after both were seen accompanying Jokowi during his visit to Kebumen regency, Central Java, earlier this month.

Although the power to nominate candidates rests in the hands of Megawati, it is believed that Jokowi will give his blessing to a prospective successor determined to carry on the legacy of his administration, such as the relocation of the country’s capital to East Kalimantan. While the initial phase of this megaproject is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, which is already beyond the end of Jokowi’s term, the Nusantara capital may only be completely developed within 10-15 years’ time. Jokowi reportedly sees both Ganjar and Prabowo as figures who could fill his shoes and see this project through to its completion.

The two names were also reportedly mentioned when Jokowi met with Megawati at the State Palace last week. Everyone is now buzzing about the possibility that the PDI-P will finally announce its candidate for the upcoming election. PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto, who was also present at the meeting, only confirmed that the two figures met as party cadres and discussed prospective alliances and presidential candidates of the PDI-P.

Amid these talks, however, there is some discord over who would run for the country’s highest office and the second-highest office, respectively. Gerindra’s deputy chief patron, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who is also Prabowo’s younger brother, welcomed the political arrangement but noted that Prabowo would press forward with his presidential bid and that Ganjar would act as his running mate. 

On the other hand, Hasto reiterated that the PDI-P, Indonesia’s largest political party, would be nominating one of its own cadres as a presidential candidate, as per Megawati’s instructions.

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