Indonesia’s defense minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto disclosed his choice for the vice presidential position, opting for the eldest son of incumbent leader Joko Widodo. The selection of 36-year-old Gibran Rakabuming Raka is expected to lend momentum to Prabowo’s campaign, leveraging Jokowi’s enduring popularity, even amidst recent public outcry over changes to eligibility rules allowing Gibran’s candidacy.
Following discussions with his party and coalition allies, Prabowo confirmed the nomination of both himself as the presidential candidate and Gibran Rakabuming Raka as the vice-presidential candidate during a press conference. With Indonesia set to hold simultaneous presidential and legislative elections on February 14, the world’s third-largest democracy anticipates a crucial political transition, involving nearly 205 million eligible voters from the country’s 270 million-strong population.
Prabowo, 72, faces competition from Ganjar Pranowo, a former Central Java governor, and Anies Baswedan, the former Jakarta governor, both vying for the presidency. Jokowi, the outgoing president, has disassociated himself from the selection of presidential candidates, but political analysts suggest his covert efforts to consolidate support for Prabowo in an effort to maintain his influence and ensure the completion of key economic initiatives.
The strategic alliance with Gibran is seen as a potential means for Jokowi to transfer a portion of his support base to Prabowo, thereby safeguarding his own legacy. As the 36-year-old mayor of Surakarta city, Gibran’s nomination has stirred controversy, prompted by recent changes to eligibility regulations that cleared the path for his vice presidential candidacy. Amidst these developments, the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), to which both Jokowi and Gibran belong, has yet to issue a statement.
Prabowo has announced his intention to register his candidacy with the election commission on October 25, the final day for registration.
