Ganjar Pranowo’s supporters strongly believe that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) will declare the Central Java governor as a 2024 General Elections presidential candidate in June 2023. A source in the party said Ganjar would have a higher chance to win the election when facing head-to-head against strong contender Anies Baswedan, who is supported by the Coalition for Change.
“In the Javanese philosophy, we cannot get ahead of the owner of the movement [the party],” the source said on February 17, 2023. “We cannot precede Megawati Soekarnoputri [as PDIP chairwoman]. It does not mean we can’t mobilize support for Ganjar.”
The source – who claimed he has a close relationship with Ganjar – said that the seasoned politician has been worried about PDIP’s slow pace in making a decision to support him. On the contrary, Anies has traveled to many areas in Indonesia for a campaign tour. The source also claimed he already advised Ganjar not to be worried about former Jakarta governor Anies since the latter would face an anti-climax due to a declining trend of supports.
However, Ganjar has faced restrictions from PDIP’s internal party to make a campaign tour across Indonesia. “Even as chairman of the Kagama (Association of Gadjah Mada University Alumni), Ganjar’s movement has been limited by some parties in the Diponegoro [PDIP headquarter on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta],” the source said.
The source also added that some of Ganjar’s supporters have been trying to persuade Megawati to allow the candidate to have a tour nationwide.
PDIP still uncertain on candidate
Political Analyst Emrus Sihombing of the Pelita Harapan University observed that there has been no clarity on PDIP’s presidential candidate for the 2024 polls.
“There are many factions inside the PDIP. Unless Megawati or Hasto Kristiyanto [PDIP’s Secretary General] announced that the party would nominate Ganjar, then it is very likely he get the ‘blessing’. However, if Ganjar’s supporters who said it, there is still no certainty. Megawati still has the prerogative rights to decide the candidate,” he told Indonesia Business Post on February 20, 2023.
According to Sihombing, the Coalition for Change – comprising of the Nasdem Party, the Democratic Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) – has agreed to declare its support for Anies. These parties also have enough seats to nominate a presidential candidate.
He explained that PDIP would nominate Ganjar if Anies was eligible to run for the presidency. However, if Anies failed to secure enough support from his coalition, PDIP would likely to nominate the House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani, who is also Megawati’s daughter.
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Sihombing said it was possible that Anies would fail to secure enough supports for his candidacy. The Coalition for Change has still undecided on the vice presidential candidate, the political cost and power sharing. He also said that if the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continued its investigation on two graft cases implicating Anies, then his chance would likely shattered. KPK has questioned Anies on land procurement and Formula E racing cases.
“If Anies failed to be nominated, there is an opportunity for Puan to run for the presidency along with [Golkar Party chairman and Coordinating Minister for the Economy] Airlangga Hartarto or [Gerindra Party chairman and Defense Minister] Prabowo Subianto as a vice presidential candidate,” Sihombing concluded.
