Running Mate Issue Exposes Very Fragile Alliance for Anies Baswedan’s Presidential Bid

Jakarta. There is no doubt that former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan is one of the strongest candidates for the 2024 presidential election but the three-party coalition behind his nomination can easily break down over the question of who will become his running mate.
Soon after the National Democratic Party, or Nasdem, formally announced Anies as their pick for the presidential election last October, it approached the Democratic Party and the Social Justice Party (PKS) to forge a coalition and reach the presidential threshold – a political party or a coalition of parties must have at least 20 percent of House of Representatives seats to nominate a candidate.
While the Democrats and the PKS similarly support Anies’ presidential aspiration, each has its own pick for a running mate.
It’s no secret that the Democrats want party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono to be the candidate for the vice president, while the PKS has repeatedly proposed former West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan as a running mate for Anies.
Signs of an internal rift in the fragile coalition emerged last week when Nasdem executives made a surprise visit to the joint secretariat of a rival coalition – which comprises the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) and the National Awakening Party (PKB). In fact, the Nasdem delegation led by Deputy Chairman Ahmad Ali was the first guest of the secretariat that was formally launched only several days earlier.

“If the PKS and the Democrats insist on their own running mate and don’t let Anies decide by himself, it’s very likely that the Nasdem will maneuver its way to other parties, like Gerindra and the PKB,” political researcher Adi Prayitno said in a recent interview with BTV news channel.
“The Democrats will not stay put and will call for the maneuver to stop because without the Democratic Party, Nasdem and Anies won’t qualify for the election, that’s the message,” the director of consulting firm Parapemeter Politik Indonesia said.
The Democratic Party won’t rush into cementing ties with the coalition until there’s assurance that Agus – also known by initials AHY – is confirmed as the running mate for Anies, Adi said.
Agus, the oldest son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, learned the political dynamics of the presidential election the hard way. In the 2019 election, his party joined the coalition supporting Prabowo Subianto under the belief that Agus would comfortably earn candidacy for the vice president.
Instead, Prabowo appointed fellow Gerindra executive Sandiaga Uno to pair with him for the election.
“The Democratic Party can’t afford a recurrence of what happened in 2019,” Adi said.
Ambiguity
Herman Khaeron, a member of the Democratic Party’s central leadership board, said Agus has agreed to give Anies the freedom to pick his running mate.
But Herman added: “In this equal partnership, the Democratic Party is proposing its best candidate, which is Brother AHY.”
He also reminded about the 20 percent threshold, indicating that without his party’s involvement, Nasdem’s ambition to make Anies president will be shattered prematurely.
Unable to follow his logic, BTV host Fristian Griec asked him if the Democratic Party will stay in the coalition if Anies picks a running mate other than Agus.
Herman couldn’t firmly provide an answer, further suggesting that the Democratic Party, the PKS, and Nasdem are still too much apart to form an alliance.
Read More:
- Ganjar Leads by Two Digits in Latest Poll on 2024 Presidential Election
- Sandiaga Confirms He’s Staying at Gerindra
- Ganjar Inherits Supports from Jokowi's Stronghold: Poll
Gerindra-PKB Coalition
Rep. Andrea Rosiade (Gerindra), known as a close aide of Prabowo, said the coalition between his party and the PKB has yet to formally announce candidates for the 2024 poll and that it’s open to other parties to join.
But he stressed that during the August 12 congress, Gerindra formally nominated Prabowo as a presidential candidate and that “there is no room for negotiation”.
That means Nasdem jumping ship into the Prabowo coalition equals ending Anies’ presidential bid.
Furthermore, Gerindra and the PKB alone have met the presidential threshold without needing a new coalition member.
In the same BTV talk show, Nasdem politician Saan Mustopa denied that the recent visit to the Gerindra-PKB joint secretariat was political.
“The visit by our deputy chairman just to show a gesture of friendship, and secondly to congratulate the launch of the joint secretariat,” Saan said.
Tags: Keywords:Related Articles
Pritzker and Ocasio-Cortez: A Billionaire and A Former Bartender Emerge as Trump Resistance Leaders
Both have urged mass resistance, accused their party of not fighting more, and stood out enough to draw sharp retorts from Trump loyalists.Indonesia Asks China to Help Fund Giant Sea Wall Project
Indonesia wants to construct a giant sea wall that stretches 700 kilometers along the coast of Banten to East Java’s Gresik.Government Offers Up to 14 Pct Discount on Airfare for 2025 Eid Homecoming Season
The government has announced a 13 percent to 14 percent discount on domestic economy-class airfare during the 2025 Eid homecoming seasonPrabowo Says He Won’t Run for President Again if His Current Term is Disappointing
Prabowo says he will feel ashamed to face the Indonesian people to run for president again if his current presidency is a letdown.AHY Re-Elected as Democratic Party Chief, Strengthens Ties with Prabowo
Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono secures another term as Democratic Party chairman, aligning the party with Prabowo’s ruling coalition.Agus Yudhoyono Set to Extend Chairmanship in Democratic Party
The congress also seeks to ensure SBY’s return as head of the party’s Supreme Council.Is Leaving Indonesia for Better Work Opportunities Unpatriotic?
Frustration over job prospects in Indonesia fuels the viral #KaburAjaDulu trend, with many seeking opportunities abroad.Democratic Party Treasurer Renville Antonio Dies in Motorcycle Accident
Police said the Harley Davidson motorcycle crashed head-on into a pickup truck before hitting a roadside tree.Indonesia to Build Three Solar Power Plants
The first project, the Karangkates Solar Power Plant in East Java, is expected to generate 100 MWp.Prabowo to Continue Nusantara Development with $3 Billion Budget Until 2029
Prabowo has not visited Nusantara since taking office in October.The Latest
Indonesia Eyes Tourism Surge with Phuket, Bangkok Flights to Medan, Surabaya
Prabowo Welcomes New Thailand-Indonesia Flights to Boost Tourism and Trade‘Sell America’ Wave Hits Wall Street as Moody’s Downgrades US Credit Rating
Moody’s downgrade of U.S. credit outlook sparks 'Sell America' wave, sending stocks, bonds, and the dollar lower on mounting debt fears.Lawmaker Criticizes ‘Unfit’ Aircraft After Hajj Flight Forced to Land in India
A Hajj flight carrying Indonesian pilgrims landed in India due to technical issues, prompting safety concerns and a probe by lawmakers.Four Killed as Train Hits Motorcycles After Crossing Gate Opens Prematurely
As soon as the gate lifted, several motorcyclists began to cross -- unaware that a second train was approaching on a parallel track.Indonesia, Thailand Sign Health Pact as COVID Cases Surge in Bangkok
Indonesia and Thailand sign a health MoU in Bangkok as COVID-19 cases rise, aiming to strengthen pandemic readiness and health systems.Most Popular
