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Analysis: Anies’ game plan: The rise of a new political party?
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Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan greets his supporters during a campaign event in Banda Aceh, Aceh, on Jan. 27, 2024. (Antara/Khalis Surry)
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nies Baswedan, the former Jakarta governor and candidate in the last recent presidential election, finds himself at a critical crossroads in his political career after failing to secure a nomination for the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial race. With his ambitions momentarily stymied, speculation is rife about his next move. Anies has said he is considering forming a new political party to maintain his relevance until the 2029 presidential election.
Anies’ failure to advance in the regional elections started when he lost the support of his political party allies, leaving him without a nomination ticket. He then failed to secure a nomination by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) despite his candidacy being briefly revived after a Constitutional Court ruling. Lastly, he was allegedly blocked by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s group when he was about to be nominated by the PDI-P in West Java.
With his candidacy in the 2024 regional elections closed from all possible angles, some believe that the systematic blocking of Anies’ chance for a government office occurred because he is greatly feared by those in power. The former Jakarta governor is considered to be a threat because he is not part of the oligarchy or political financiers who could control him once in office. Moreover, Anies is said to be feared because he has his own ideas and is difficult to subdue, which could potentially disrupt the legacy of the current administration.
Political analysts have also stated the possibility that Anies was not given a path to compete in the 2024 regional elections to further block his chances as a serious contender in the 2029 presidential election.
Therefore, Anies’ next move has interested many parties. Where will the seemingly formidable force go now that all doors are closing on him?
News of Anies possibly establishing his own political party or joining an established one has been picking up speed. The possibility came from Anies himself in a video he uploaded on Aug. 30. Establishing a political party or a mass organization would accommodate his vision for change, according to the former Jakarta governor.
Regarding joining an existing political party, Anies appears hesitant as he questions which party is currently not compromised by the ruling power. Thus, his inner circle is said to gear more toward the former governor establishing a new political party in order for him to be able to contest the 2029 presidential elections.
