Elections 2024: Democratic Party Officially Declares Support for Prabowo as Presidential Candidate

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Two former military generals Prabowo Subianto and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono join hands to win the next election. The General Chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), officially declared his support for Prabowo Subianto as the presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.

According to AHY, this ratification was conveyed after the Democratic Party concluded its national leadership conference.

“I am optimistic, and that's because Mr. Prabowo has stated that the constant in life is change itself. This is the hope we entrust to Mr. Prabowo,” said AHY in front of thousands of Democratic Party cadres at the JCC in Jakarta on Thursday (21/9/2023).

AHY believes that with the support from Democratic Party to Prabowo will bring progress towards a prosperous Indonesia in the future.

"Therefore, this evening, on Thursday, September 21, 2023, during the national leadership conference of the Democratic Party held at the Jakarta Convention Center, I, Agus Harimurti, as the Chairman of the Democratic Party, officially and openly declares Mr. Prabowo Subianto as the presidential candidate for the 2024 election," AHY emphasized.

AHY's declaration was immediately met with enthusiastic cheers from thousands of Democratic Party cadres. They chanted the names ‘Prabowo for President’ and ‘Democratic Party.’

"Democrat! Prabowo Prabowo Prabowo! Prabowo!" AHY exclaimed in conclusion.

Hearing the mandate of the declaration, Prabowo expressed that he was deeply moved and graciously accepted the support.

"I am deeply touched by this declaration of support, and I want to make it clear that I accept it," Prabowo affirmed.

Former Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan has previously announced Muhaimin Iskandar a his VP candidate. That decision provoked anger and disappointment from SBY who felt betrayed. 

It is unknown who will be Prabowo's VP, although the name of Minister for State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir is circulating as one of the strong candidates. 

Another candidate, Governor of Middle Java Ganjar Pranowo, has not picked a VP candidate either. His political party, the Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P), has hinted that they will only announce the name for VP candidate in the last minutes.

Muhammad Radityo Priyasmoro contributed to this report.