Presidential Election Campaign Begins As Parties Make Nominations

The party of incumbent President Widodo, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle PDI-P, has nominated Ganjar Pranowo as its candidate for the 2024 presidential election, which is due to be held on 14 February 2024. There will also be elections for the Vice President and People’s Consultative Assembly as well as local legislative organisations. The selection of a number of candidates marks the start of campaigning in Indonesia.

• Ganjar is the current governor of Central Java and his nomination to replace President Widodo is unsurprising but the daughter of former President Megawati, Speaker of Parliament Puan, was also a contender. According to the Jakarta Globe, Hanura, which doesn’t have any seats in parliament, has announced that it will support Ganjar for President, and others are expected to follow.
• A party or coalition has to have at least 20% of seats in the House and so given the current make up, there can only be 4 presidential candidates. So, often parties unite behind a particularly nominee. Candidates have to be nominated by October and decisions and running mates can be quite fluid until then.
• The only other person who has been formally nominated is former Jakarta Governor Anies who is to represent Nasdem, National Democratic Party. But the party still needs support from others as it is only the fourth largest party in parliament.
• Jakarta Globe is reporting that defence minister and runner up in the last election Prabowo is a likely nominee after his Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) joined a coalition with the National Awakening Party (PKB), 3^rd and 5^th largest parties respectively, and nominated him at its last party congress.