Global Impact: ‘Cuddly Grandpa’ Prabowo Subianto claims a victory for all Indonesians, defence minister to succeed Jokowi

Global Impact is a weekly curated newsletter featuring a news topic originating in China with a significant macro impact for our newsreaders around the world

In this issue, we look back at the result of the recent Indonesian election, with Prabowo Subianto set to be the country’s next president, based on quick-count results

Reading Time:6 minutes

Published: 2:00pm, 26 Feb 2024Updated: 5:33pm, 29 Feb 2024

Global Impact is a weekly curated newsletter featuring a news topic originating in China with a significant macro impact for our newsreaders around the world. Sign up now!

Hours after the polls closed in Indonesia last week, Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto took to the stage in front of thousands of his supporters to declare his presidential victory was one “for all Indonesians”.

This was the former military general’s third bid for the top job after losing two bitterly contested presidential races in 2014 and 2019 to incumbent leader Joko Widodo, known popularly as Jokowi.

But Prabowo looks set to finally take on the presidency from his rival-turned-ally Jokowi, who was constitutionally barred from running for a third term.

Based on unofficial quick-count results, Prabowo secured around 58 per cent of the vote in the February 14 election.

Should the final official results reflect the quick counts – which has been a historical trend – it would mean Prabowo has earned a decisive victory over former governors Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo.