Indonesia President Joko Widodo and his son, incoming vice president Gibran Rakabuming Raka, have made a surprising move by backing rival candidate Prabowo Subianto, leading to their departure from the country’s largest party, the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).
Their decision not to endorse PDIP’s presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo has raised questions about the future political moves of the popular outgoing president, known as Jokowi. With his support, Prabowo won the recent election by a significant margin, securing 58% of the vote.
While Jokowi and Gibran were not expelled from PDIP, their departure has highlighted the growing tension between them and the party. Despite this rift, party official Komarudin Watubun emphasized the importance of preserving Jokowi’s dignity, given his significant contributions to the party over the years.
As Jokowi prepares to step down from office, speculation is mounting about his next political steps. Sources suggest that he may seek to take over the second-largest party, Golkar, in a bid to maintain influence and potentially counterbalance Prabowo’s power as he assumes office in October.
Prabowo, on the other hand, is focused on expanding his coalition to secure a majority in parliament. Talks with various parties, including Nasdem, are already underway to strengthen his position.
The political landscape in Indonesia is evolving rapidly, with alliances shifting and new power dynamics emerging. The upcoming months are sure to be filled with intrigue as key players navigate these changes to shape the country’s future.