Since 2014, President Joko Widodo has made Indonesia one of the world’s 20 largest economies. Who will fill the popular head of government’s shoes next year?
The election campaign for the 2024 presidential election has officially begun in the world’s largest island state, Indonesia. The popular incumbent Joko Widodo, also known by his nickname Jokowi, will not be allowed to run again in the February 14 vote after two terms in office. Three candidates are competing to succeed him.
In the largest Muslim country in the world, which consists of more than 17,000 islands, 205 million of the almost 280 million inhabitants have been called to the polls. Almost 90 percent of them are Muslims. The holiday paradise of Bali is the only island with a Hindu majority.
According to polls, the favorite is the current defense minister and former general Prabowo Subianto (72) – Jokowi’s bitter opponent in the last election. However, he surprisingly nominated his eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka (36) as Vice President.
Is Jokowi building a family dynasty?
The Supreme Court recently ruled that the minimum age for presidential and vice-presidential candidates – which is 40 – does not apply to elected regional leaders. Jokowi’s son is already mayor of the city of Solo and is therefore allowed to run. Critics accuse the current president of wanting to build a political family dynasty. However, his contributions to Indonesia’s economic progress are undisputed: the G20 nation is now the largest economy in Southeast Asia.
In a survey at the end of October, Subianto was ahead with more than 40 percent of the vote, followed by the governor of Central Java province, Ganjar Pranowo (almost 28 percent). The third candidate, Anies Baswedan, is the former governor of Jakarta and former education minister. He currently has almost 24 percent of the vote.
The election campaign ends on February 10, four days before the election. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election will take place on June 26th.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
