TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Democratic Party spokesman Ruhut Sitompul is upbeat that his party will still play a key role in the nation’s presidential elections slated for July. Ruhut believes his party will remain influential as quick count results by several pollsters show the Democrat pocketed 10 percent of the total vote.
“Even though we only got 10 percent, SBY will become a coalition king-maker,” said Ruhut on Thursday.
Ruhut opined there would be four pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates in the upcoming presidential race. He said the odds remained overwhelming for the Democrat Party to nominate one of the eleven Democrat convention’s participants as a presidential candidate. Ruhut, however, did not specify the kind of coalition that would possibly be formed.
According to Ruhut, the talks on coalitions would intensify after the official tally of the elections is announced by the General Elections Commission (KPU). Ruhut said the candidate from his party would shine. “Anything can happen in politics. Don’t underestimate [us],” he said.
Ruhut said it was also possible that his party would form a coalition with other parties that already had their own presidential contenders. “It’s all still possible.”
