Indonesian Defense Minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto has announced the eldest son of current leader Joko Widodo as a candidate for next year's elections.
The selection of 36-year-old Gibran Rakabuming Raka could boost Prabowo's campaign because of Jokowi's widespread popularity, although he was angered by a decision this week that changed eligibility requirements that barred Gibran from running.
In a press conference after the meeting between his party and coalition partners, Prabowo said they have reached an agreement on the presidential candidacy and Gibran Rakabuming Rakan on the vice presidential candidacy.
The world's third-largest democracy will hold simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections on February 14, and around 205 million of Indonesia's more than 270 million people will be eligible to vote.
Prabowo, 72, has topped most polls this year, including two this week, ahead of former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, a distant third.
Ganjar and Anies, both 54, registered on Thursday, the opening day for the registration of presidential candidates.
Jokowi said this week he will not run for president, but politicians say the outgoing leader wants to maintain his popularity and is quietly mobilizing after emerging to back former rival Prabowo as the PDI candidate for Ganja. -P.
Asked about his son's possible candidacy on Sunday morning, President Jokowi said he would "leave it to the coalition of political parties" and that it is the duty of parents to pray and bless their children.
According to some analysts, an alliance with Gibran could shift part of Jokowi's support base to Prabowo, while improving the leader's chances of defining his legacy by ensuring the end of key economic programs he started.
Gibran, the 36-year-old mayor of Surakarta, sparked controversy after a Supreme Court ruling changed eligibility rules, clearing the way for him to run for vice president.
Politicians say Gibra's candidacy is a way for Jokowi, a general term for outgoing presidents, to maintain his influence and he is quietly seeking the support of Prabowo, whom he defeated twice to win the presidency in 2014 and 2019. .
There was no immediate comment from the Indonesian Democratic Party of War (PDI-P), which counts the president and Gibran among its members.
Prabowo said he plans to register his candidacy at the KPU on Wednesday, October 25, the last day to register.
