Indonesia’s Jokowi to reaffirm support for Ganjar Pranowo as presidential election nears

President Joko Widodo has widely been called the kingmaker of the next election, but is yet to officially endorse a candidate

Ganjar, who was leading opinion polls at the start of the year, has been falling behind rival candidate Prabowo Subianto in surveys since May

Reading Time:2 minutes

(From left) Former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, President Joko Widodo, Vice-President Maruf Amin and presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:33pm, 24 Jul 2023

The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has sought to reaffirm President Joko Widodo’s support for its presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo, following speculations over whom the leader will endorse.

With the election fast approaching in February, observers say that Widodo might prefer that his Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto take the top job.

Puan Maharani, daughter of PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri and speaker of the House of Representatives, said at a party event on Sunday that Widodo, known popularly as Jokowi, would back the PDI-P candidate.

“I believe that Jokowi will continue to stay with the PDI-P,” Puan said. “The president has been supported and promoted two times [in electoral runs] by the PDI-P. In the next election, he will do the same.”

Ganjar, who was leading opinion polls at the start of the year, has been falling behind rival candidate Prabowo in surveys since May. Photo: Shutterstock

Widodo, a PDI-P member, has widely been called the kingmaker of the next election, but is yet to officially endorse a candidate.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x