Jakarta. The upcoming national congress of the Golkar Party will decide on a new chairman from among three leading figures, Deputy Chairman Bambang Soesatyo announced on Thursday.

Bambang, who also serves as the Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly, the country’s highest legislative body, said the contenders include himself, Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, and Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita.

Agus was recently appointed as Golkar’s acting chairman following the sudden resignation of Airlangga Hartarto from the party’s leadership.

“We will meet again to discuss who will become the chairman among the three of us. We will reach an agreement,” Bambang said at the parliament building in Jakarta.

Their meeting is expected to take place before August 20, when the congress begins.

“Bahlil, Agus, and I have long planned to contest the chairmanship. We will meet again to make a decision,” Bambang added.

It has been five days since Airlangga announced his resignation last weekend, but the exact reasons for his abrupt decision remain unclear, aside from his stated intention to focus on his role as the coordinating minister for economic affairs in the cabinet.

The timing of the resignation has raised questions, as the country is approaching major elections for governors, mayors, and regents on November 27. This has led to a busy schedule for all political parties as they work to establish coalitions and select candidates across all 38 provinces and more than 500 cities and regencies.