With registration for the 2024 presidential and vice presidential candidates opening soon, Prabowo Subianto, Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo, the only figures with a realistic chance of winning the highest office, remain in search of their running mates. Potential names have been listed, though in the end, each will only choose a partner that can help them win.
Prabowo, who was declared as Gerindra Party’s sole candidate in August last year, said he wanted a tandem who was dedicated to the people of Indonesia and held a strong commitment to the country, state ideology Pancasila, the Constitution and the national motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity). Moreover, as shown in surveys, his vice-presidential candidate must have integrity and a high electability rating.
Whereas Anies, who was officially endorsed by the NasDem Party in October, stated that he wished his running mate to be able to contribute to their victory through their high electability and low political vulnerability, have the ability to strengthen and maintain coalition stability, help run effective governance management and display a commitment to building togetherness as a harmonious duo.
Ganjar on the other hand, nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), is looking for a running mate who shares the same vision.
Despite each of the presidential candidates holding individual preferences for their VP pick, it is interesting to note that the circulated potential names of the running mates have overlapped across the three candidates. The names have included, among others, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD, State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Erick Thohir, Coordinating Economics Minister Airlangga Hartarto and National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Muhaimin Iskandar.
Other names that have been thrown in the mix are Democratic Party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil and Yenny Wahid, the daughter of former president and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leader Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid.
Take the case of Mahfud, for instance, who has garnered public support in recent months. According to political observers, Mahfud’s popularity is attributed to his bold response to major issues that have gained public attention, such as the alleged mega-corruption at the Finance Ministry and the Ferdy Sambo case. Mahfud’s NU background is also said to give him the edge, along with his East Java upbringing. With East Java seen as the “decisive battleground”, Mahfud’s presence may possibly rally voters behind him and his presidential candidate. However, the minister has openly refused to support Anies in the race.
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