Analyst: Jokowi-JK Pair Has the Upperhand on Two-Axis Coalition

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and The Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) have declared their candidates for presidential election yesterday. PDI-P proposed the name of Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla, despite that Kalla as VP candidate comes from the non-alliance Functional Group Party (Golkar). "It has nothing to do with Kalla being a chairman of a party or not. The consideration is on how both candidates can work together,” said Jokowi after the declaration in Gedung Juang, Jakarta.

Jokowi said that Jusuf Kalla has had the full supports from the coalition. The four parties in coalition, PDI-P, the National Awakening Party (PKB), the National Democrat Party (NasDem), and the People's Consicence Party (Hanura), have all agreed that Kalla possesses high electability, as well as experience and track record.

On the other hand, Gerindra pair Prabowo Subianto with Hatta Rajasa. "Hatta and me have received mandates from the coalition," said Prabowo. The pair received full support from a four parties namely Gerindra, the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), and the United Development Party (PPP). Also, Prabowo has had additional supports from the Golkar and the Crescent Star Party (PBB).

Upon that, Djayadi Hanan, Research Director of Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting, said that a third axis is unlikely to emerge with Golkar siding to Gerindra axis. "Given this position, Jokowi-JK have the upperhand," he said. Based on Tempo's calculation, Jokowi-JK pair is likely to be ahead of Prabowo-Hatta in the next election with 47 percent against 34 percent.

ANANDA TERESIA | GANGSAR PARIKESIT | SUNDARI SUDJIANTO | YANDI ROFIYANDI | BOBBY CHANDRA