President Joko Widodo laughed when asked if his choice of presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election was the same choice as the PDIP general president Megawati Soekarnoputri.
While chuckling, Jokowi said a president does not have the authority to determine a presidential candidate. He said that political parties have that authority.
“I repeat that the candidates for the vice presidential candidates are prepared by a party or a combination of parties. Later, the people will vote, not me,” Jokowi said Monday at MNC Tower, Jakarta (7/11).
Jokowi doesn’t care if there are parties that they suspect he supports a candidate. He also doesn’t care if anyone considers his declaration to be a form of support for Prabowo Subianto.
However, he once again recalled that the determination of the presidential candidate was carried out by political parties. He also said that the final choice is in the hands of the people.
“Parties or coalitions of parties elect the people, so once again be careful in choosing presidential and vice presidential candidates,” he said.
Previously, Jokowi was associated with numerous presidential candidates. Some of the names said to have Jokowi’s backing are Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo.
However, Jokowi has not yet expressed direct support for a single candidate. He only gave signals through his speech.
The electoral law also stipulates that presidential and vice presidential candidates can only be presented by political parties or a combination of political parties. Supporters of presidential and vice presidential candidates must have 20% of the seats in the RI Presidential Decree or 25% of the national votes in previous elections.
(df / DAL)
