Presidential candidates to be nominated in Indonesia ahead of April vote
Today is the deadline for registration of presidential candidates for Indonesia’s April 2019 election. So far, incumbent President Joko Widodo and Gerindra Party chief patron Prabowo Subinanto are the only declared candidates.
The upcoming elections will encompass not only the presidential election, but also the legislative elections for the National Assembly.
The 10 political parties of Indonesia are divided in their support, with Widodo in the lead. Regardless, the #ChangePresident2019 movement is making strides. Subinanto’s Gerindra Party has formed a coalition with the Prosperous Justice Party, the Democrats and the National Mandate Party; all parties have a stake in determining the vice presidential candidate.
Even if Subinanto nominates a popular running mate today, like Agus H. Yudhoyono – the son of former President Susiolo Bambang Yudhoyono – it is unlikely that Widodo will be unseated from power. Regardless of the result, the Gerindra Party and coalition members will gain seats in the concurrent legislative election.
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