Indonesia: Prabowo Enters Three-Way Presidential Race

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Image copyright: Prabowo Subianto [via Wikimedia Commons]

The Facts

  • Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has officially entered the country’s presidential race, making next year’s election a three-way contest.

  • The 72-year-old and his running mate, incumbent Joko Widodo’s 36-year-old son Gibran Rakabuming Raka, handed their credentials and manifesto to election officials in Jakarta on Wednesday.

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Indonesians of all stripes are energized and excited to back Prabowo and Gibran as they run for president, and young people, in particular, could fuel their victory. Despite the cries from the critics, Prabowo has withstood public scrutiny for decades while Gibran has shown his political chops as a mayor. Prabowo is leading in the polls, and the momentum behind his support is only just beginning.

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Establishment-critical narrative

The Prabowo-Gibran ticket is already off to a shameful start after the Constitutional Court — headed by the Widodo’s brother-in-law — altered the candidate age requirement to benefit the president’s son. Clearly, family members entrenched in Indonesian politics are ignoring laws and norms to create a political dynasty for Widodo, thereby weakening the country’s fragile democracy.

Tempo

Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO