The Strategy Behind PDIP’s Participation in the Jakarta Regional Head Election and its Potential Impact on Future Elections

The Chairman of the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) DPP, Eriko Sotarduga, has recently conveyed the party’s intention to nominate its cadres for the forthcoming 2024 Jakarta regional head election. Eriko highlighted that the success of PDIP’s candidates in the election would significantly influence the outcome of the legislative elections in 2029, underscoring the pivotal role elected cadres would play in shaping the nation’s political future.

Eriko noted that PDIP’s strategy is not unique to the party, as all political parties with seats in the 2024 Legislative Election are inclined to advance their own cadres for leadership positions in the regional elections. He emphasized that the ambition to present party cadres as candidates is a shared objective among all political parties.

In response to Anies Baswedan’s collaboration with Sohibul Iman as Jakarta’s gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates for PKS, Eriko stressed the necessity for political parties to form coalitions to nominate their preferred candidates for the 2024 Jakarta regional head election. He pointed out that no single party could prevail in the election unaided by the support of other parties.

Eriko also highlighted the numerical requirements for nominating candidate pairs in the Jakarta gubernatorial election, stating that parties or party coalitions must hold at least 22 seats in the DKI Jakarta DPRD. With PKS holding 18 seats as the victor of the 2024 DKI DPRD legislative election, and PDIP as the second-largest party with 15 seats, coalition agreements will play a crucial role in determining the final candidate pair for the election.

As the deadline for candidate registration with the General Election Commission (KPU) approaches in August, Eriko emphasized that the current speculation surrounding Anies-Sohibul’s nomination is subject to change based on the outcome of party coalition agreements with PKS. He emphasized that no party, including PDIP and PKS, can nominate itself without the support of other parties.

In conclusion, the participation of PDIP and other political parties in the upcoming Jakarta regional head election is not just about securing victory in the capital city, but also about laying the groundwork for future legislative and presidential elections. The alliances and candidate selections made in the coming months will have a lasting impact on the political landscape of Indonesia in the years to come.