April 28, 2023
JAKARTA – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo held a meeting on Thursday with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri, the first encounter since the two politicians made a joint appearance last week to announce the party’s endorsement of Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo as the party’s presidential candidate in 2024.
Jokowi was joined by First Lady Iriana during a meeting held at Megawati’s private residence on Jl. Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta.
PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said that although the meeting was primarily designed as a get-together to celebrate the Idul Fitri holiday, the President and Megawati did discuss issues related to politics.
“The meeting was cordial and both talked about political dynamics in the wake of our announcement of Ganjar Pranowo’s candidacy. Everybody looked happy,” Hasto said in a statement released in the wake of the meeting.
Hasto said that the meeting lasted for an hour.
Last week, the PDI-P finally gave its endorsement for Ganjar as its candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
Ganjar, governor of one of the most populous provinces in the country, is up against former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto, in what is expected to be a hotly contested race.
The announcement was made at a livestreamed event by Megawati and it ended months of political uncertainty after some key government officials suggested President Jokowi should extend his tenure beyond the two terms allowed by the constitution.