Portrait of Joko Widodo
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Joko Widodo on Prabowo Subianto

Key political patron (strong) Position evolved Flip Head to head

TL;DR

Joko Widodo significantly backed Prabowo Subianto's final presidential bid by placing his son on the ticket, signaling continued policy support.

Key Points

  • He appointed Prabowo Subianto as Minister of Defence on 23 October 2019 to serve in his cabinet until 2024.

  • The president's decision to allow his son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to run as Prabowo's vice-presidential candidate in 2024 was seen as a key endorsement.

  • Joko Widodo's populist policies and high personal popularity proved instrumental in transferring a significant portion of his voter base to Prabowo during the 2024 election.

Summary

Joko Widodo's position toward Prabowo Subianto evolved from a fierce electoral opponent in 2014 and 2019 to a key political patron for the 2024 presidential election. The crucial evidence for this shift was Widodo's tacit, yet powerful, endorsement, primarily demonstrated by allowing his eldest son to run as Prabowo's vice-presidential candidate. This move was widely interpreted by voters as an instruction to support Prabowo, causing a significant upward shift in his electability ratings following the official registration in late October 2023. Analysts point to the president's populist policies, such as increased social assistance distribution, as also having benefited Prabowo by maintaining Widodo's high popularity among the masses.

This strategic alignment meant that the incumbent president, despite having defeated Prabowo twice previously, actively worked to secure his former rival’s victory. This intervention, while not an explicit declaration of support, ensured the continuity of Widodo's political legacy and the perceived continuation of his populist and developmental policies under a Prabowo-Gibran administration. Furthermore, Widodo appointed Prabowo as his Minister of Defence in 2019, a move that facilitated a political rehabilitation for the former general and demonstrated a commitment to national unity over lingering political rivalry.

Key Quotes

this victory must be a victory for all Indonesian people

Prabowo's speech is a firm and brave message for peace

Frequently Asked Questions

Joko Widodo's current position is highly supportive, having played a crucial role in Prabowo Subianto's successful 2024 presidential bid. He effectively transferred his political capital by including his son on the winning ticket. This action signaled a desire for policy continuity between their administrations.

Yes, the stance has significantly changed; the two were direct rivals in the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections, which were closely contested. Following the 2019 election, Widodo appointed Prabowo to his cabinet as Defence Minister, marking the start of their political alignment.

The most significant action by Joko Widodo was positioning his eldest son as Prabowo's running mate for Vice President in the 2024 election. Furthermore, the sitting president's continued popularity and associated populist policies were beneficial to Prabowo's campaign.