Democrats Leave Coalition, Gerindra-PKB Split Partnership

The Democratic Party insists it is no longer in the Coalition for Change for Unity. This also means that the Democrats will withdraw support for Anies Baswedan.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Demokrat Keluar Koalisi, Gerindra-PKB Pecah Kongsi

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

A poster featuring the potential presidential candidates from the Coalition for Unity and Change, Anies Baswedan and the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, has been displayed on a tree on Juanda Street, Ciputat, South Tangerang, Banten, on Friday (1/9/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Democrat Party officially left the Coalition for Change for Unity and withdrew its support for Anies Rasyid Baswedan. At the same time, the Greater Indonesia Awakening Coalition initiated by the Gerindra Party and the National Awakening Party or PKB also disbanded. These two phenomena are the impact of the union of the Nasdem Party and PKB with the Anies-Muhaimin duet.

"The Democratic Party is no longer a part of the Coalition for Unity and Change (KPP). Therefore, we no longer support Anies as the potential presidential candidate and we are not bound by the coalition charter," said the Secretary of the Democratic Party's High Council, Andi Alfian Mallarangeng, in Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, on Friday (1/9/2023).

This decision was taken after an emergency meeting between the Upper House led by the Chairman of the Upper Council Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and the General Chairperson of the Democratic Party Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono AHY). According to Andi, the Democrats left the coalition because of betrayal or denial of the agreement that had been built.

Also read: PKB Accepts Nasdem Offer, Anies-Muhaimin Will Be Declared Immediately

KOMPAS

The tandem of Anies-Muhaimin has emerged, PKB ready to step down from Coalition with Gerindra, Golkar, and PAN.

In his speech, SBY mentioned that the betrayal received by the Democratic Party was an unethical and immoral political maneuver. This also sparked anger and emotions from Democratic cadres in various regions.

"I am not naive, there has never been anything like this. Politics is indeed full of tactics and strategies. But I did not expect that, after a year of fighting together, the strategy would go beyond moral and ethical boundaries in politics," he said.

The maneuver in question is the removal of AHY as Anies' potential vice-presidential candidate. However, according to the Democratic Party, the Anies-AHY pair was only waiting for a declaration of candidacy. Nonetheless, the duo that emerged was between Anies and the Chairman of PKB, Muhaimin Iskandar.

In the near future, the Democratic Party will consolidate with its central and regional management. In addition to determining the next steps, the Democratic Party also ensures that its future coalition partners will not betray their commitments.

Therefore, SBY is grateful that this incident was revealed far enough from the registration of the presidential-vice presidential candidates to the General Election Commission (KPU). He only regrets the coalition that was built on dishonesty and non-compliance with commitments.

"The direction of support from the Democrats will not be determined today, but in two or three days. The decision cannot be made in an emotional condition," he said.

In the near future, the Democratic Party will consolidate with its central and regional management. In addition to determining the next steps, the Democratic Party also ensures that its future coalition partners will not betray their commitments.

Also read: Meeting Surya Paloh, the President Confirms There is No Discussion of the Anies-Muhaimin Duet

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

The Chairman of the Gerindra Party and presidential candidate, Prabowo Subianto (second from the right), together with the Chairman of PAN, Zulkifli Hasan, Chairman of Golkar Party, Airlangga Hartarto, and Chairman of PKB, Muhaimin Iskandar (left to right), showed the political contract to the press at the Proclamation Manuscript Formulation Museum, Jakarta, on Sunday (13/8/2023).

Meanwhile, the Koalisi Kebangkitan Indonesia Raya (KKIR) initiated by the Gerindra Party and PKB has also disbanded. This is due to the formation of a political cooperation between PKB and the Nasdem Party.

"The political cooperation between Gerindra and PKB, which were both members of KKIR, has dissolved on its own. This is because PKB has established a political cooperation with the Nasdem Party that supports the Anies-Muhaimin pair," explained the Daily Chairman of the Central Executive Board (DPP) of Gerindra Party, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad."

Also read: The Political Map is Still Dynamic, PDI-P Opens the Door for Political Parties Who Want to Join

According to him, although they were not informed beforehand, Gerindra still respects PKB's decision. Dasco also congratulated and invited them to continue to maintain the elections to run safely and smoothly.

Now, Gerindra will focus on sailing together with the Indonesian Maju Coalition consisting of Golkar Party, National Mandate Party (PAN), and Crescent Moon Party (PBB).