Indonesia election: Ganjar Pranowo faces ‘delicate balance’ in Megawati-backed path to power
- Indonesia’s ruling party is looking to repeat its success with Jokowi by marrying its institutional heft to a charismatic politician’s star power
- But even with grand dame Megawati’s backing, Ganjar could be in for a rough ride to the February poll, with tough rivals and a recent Fifa controversy that dented his ratings
But 10 months is a long time in politics as the governor of Central Java can attest, after his support for a ban on an Israeli football team from competing in a Bali competition spectacularly backfired, taking a chunk from his poll ratings.
Still, Ganjar has powerful allies – and that bodes well for the election, experts say.
After months of uncertainty, Ganjar secured the endorsement of Megawati Sukarnoputri, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) last month.
“The party is still very much a one-woman show,” said Riyadi Suparno, executive director of Tengarra Strategics.
The party holds nearly a quarter of parliamentary seats and is the only group large enough to nominate a presidential candidate without entering into coalition with other parties, under Indonesia’s election laws.
Ganjar had spent months courting Megawati for the nomination, a reflection of the influence that Indonesia’s first female president still exerts.