Grand Coalition Becomes Political Elite’s New Magnet
Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto meets with Perindo Party chairman Hary Tanoesoedibjo to explore an alliance. The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) announces that it wants to join the grand coalition.
By
NORBERTUS ARYA DWIANGGA MARTIAR, IQBAL BASYARI
·4 minutes read
KOMPAS
Perindo Party chairman Hary Tanoesoedibjo and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto met at Prabowo's residence on Jalan Kertanegara, South Jakarta, Wednesday (5/4/2023). After the meeting, Prabowo mentioned the possibility of Perindo joining the grand coalition.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The idea to build a grand coalition in the 2024 election has become a hot topic among the political elite during cross-party meetings aimed at exploring further cooperation. However, whether these meetings can lead to the formation of a grand coalition will depend on how these parties navigate the uncertainties of determining a presidential and vice presidential candidate.
On Wednesday (5/4/2023), United Indonesia Party (Perindo) chairman Hary Tanoesoedibjo visited the residence of Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto in Kertanegara, South Jakarta, for a meeting that lasted an hour and a half.
Hary was accompanied by other Perindo leaders, including daily chairman TBG Muhammad Zainul Majdi and party deputy chairman Ferry Kurnia Rizkiyansyah. Accompanying Prabowo was Gerindra secretary-general Ahmad Muzani and Prabowo’s spokesman, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak.
“We are open and will be happy if Perindo, and perhaps other parties, want a fairly large lineup [of parties] to ensure the continuity of development,” said Prabowo.
During the meeting, Prabowo said they also discussed the shared values of democracy and politics that are unique to Indonesia, such as family and harmony. Moreover, criticism or feedback that was not intended to insult, criticize or humiliate others.
Prabowo stated that the two parties would meet again for a more in-depth discussion on political cooperation in the future. “We are open if Perindo wants to join the grand coalition,” said Prabowo.
Regarding the tough decision of nominating a presidential and vice-presidential candidate from this grand coalition, Prabowo said he has maintained good relations with the leaders of other political parties. To Prabowo, the most important thing as the goodwill of all parties.
We are open if Perindo wants to join the grand coalition.
Hary said it was a great honor to be received by Prabowo an Gerindra. During the meeting, the two sides explored political cooperation. “In the future, of course, Perindo and Gerindra will continue these discussions,” said Hary.
Previously, an idea to build a grand coalition was floated following a meeting between President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto, National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Zulkifli Hasan, National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Muhaimin Iskandar and acting united Development Party (PPP) chairman Mardiono. These five parties have so far been part of two electoral alliances, namely the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) and the Great Indonesia Awakening Coalition (KIR).
KOMPAS
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle supports the idea of forming a grand coalition initiated by the general chairman of the Gerindra Party, the Golkar Party, the National Awakening Party, the National Mandate Party and the United Development Party. It is also possible that PDI-P will join the five political parties in facing the 2024 Presidential Election..
Support
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) central executive board (DPP) chairwoman Puan Maharani said on Tuesday (4/4) that the PDI-P supported the idea of building a grand coalition put forward by the five party leaders at the PAN DPP office last week. Moreover, this idea was also welcomed by President Jokowi, who was also present during the occasion.
According to Puan, an alliance could be formed when there was a shared vision, mission, goals and an agreement to realize these ideals. Even though she was unable to attend, Puan said she accepted the invitation to attend the meeting. Should there be a similar meeting next time, she guaranteed her attendance. In fact, she also welcomed the opportunity for PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri to be the next host.
The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) also expressed interest in joining the grand coalition yesterday. PSI board of trustees deputy chairwoman Grace Natalie said the party would join the grand coalition because it had Jokowi’s support from the beginning. PSI will meet with Golkar chairman Airlangga next week to formally communicate the formation of the grand coalition.
Furthermore, Grace continued, PSI’s main goal in joining the grand coalition was to ensure that Jokowi’s legacy would be carried on and maintained.
Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) politics and social change head Arya Fernandes deemed that political parties were looking to form a new alliance in an attempt to overcome a situation full of uncertainty. Moreover, the grand coalition being discussed by the KIB and the KIR would attract other political parties to jump on the bandwagon.
“This grand coalition can serve as a new milestone to overcome uncertainty in both the KIB and the KIR. Though the KIB had declared its alliance, it hasn’t shown much progress in nominating a presidential and vice presidential candidate. Meanwhile, both leaders in the KIR want to run for president,” he explained.
Talks of building a grand coalition, Arya continued, could also be interpreted as an effort to lure the PDI-P into revealing its hand. On the other hand, whether the grand coalition will be formed or not will depends on how these parties navigate the uncertainties of determining a presidential and vice presidential candidate. (Z01)
