Regional vote pitts Megawati against Jokowi

Indonesia goes to the polls today to elect all its governors in first ever simultaneous vote. In Jakarta and Central Java the two most eagerly awaited challenges are the PDIP candidates and those of the unprecedented alliance between former general Prabowo elected president in February and his long-time opponent.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - A few months after February's presidential elections, Indonesia is again called to the polls today for its regional elections (Pilkada), which for the first time are being held simultaneously across the country. Today's elections will determine the choice of 543 district chiefs and 38 provincial governors.

However, today's vote also has a broader significance, because it will be a new long-distance confrontation between former President Megawati Soekarnoputri and his former loyal successor Joko Widodo, after the rift that emerged in last February's presidential election.

On that occasion, Megawati's political party, the PDIP, strongly supported the then Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, while Jokowi sided with his former ‘rival’, former general Prabowo Subianto, and sided with his eldest son Gibran as vice-president. Prabowo's victory did not, however, end the clash between Megawati and Jokowi, with the former's supporters accusing the latter of again working for the victory of candidates linked to the current president, to the detriment of the exponents of the PDIP, his former party.

The three Indonesian provinces in the spotlight during the Pilkada are Jakarta, Central Java and East Java: this trio has become crucial in the power struggle between Jokowi loyalists and Megawati followers.

Facing each other in Jakarta are former Indonesian government secretary Pramono Anung, candidate of the PDIP, former West Java governor Ridwan Kamil, supported by President Prabowo, and independent Dharma Pongrekun. Anung, who is a figure identifiable with the nationalist camp, appears to be the favourite.

In Central Java, on the other hand, there is a ‘strong’ rivalry between the former commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces, General Andika Pratama of the PDIP and Police General Lutfi supported by both Prabowo Subianto and Jokowi. ‘Both are nationalist figures and therefore Pilkada 2024 will be the real test of whether Megawati or the alliance between Jokowi and Prabowo is more influential in Central Java,’ local political analyst Anton told AsiaNews.

It should also be borne in mind that provincial governors are very influential figures, able to build great consensus around themselves also thanks to the ample financial resources of local budgets. This is why often holding this position in a key province, such as Central Java, also becomes a springboard for cultivating ambitions for the presidency of the country.

As in the presidential elections in February, the first simultaneous Pilkada throughout the country is taking place without incidents and violence. This kind of peaceful election is becoming a good example for Indonesia.