Responses To The Prabowo-Megawati Meeting At The Palace, Observers: The Signal For The Gerindra-PDIP Coalition Is Still Far Away
JAKARTA - The closeness of Gerindra General Chair Prabowo Subianto and PDIP General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri became increasingly visible after the meeting at the Palace, Wednesday, November 17. However, the signal of the coalition between PDIP and Gerindra for the 2024 presidential election is still considered very far away.
"In terms of the proximity of the meeting at the Palace yesterday before the inauguration of the Commander in Chief, the signal is not 2024. When it comes to closeness, they are actually close, they have been together for a long time. But if it is said that the coalition is there or not, I think it's still too far right now,” said political observer at Paramadina University Hendri Satrio, Tuesday, November 23.
Meanwhile, regarding the discourse for Prabowo to partner with DPR Speaker Puan Maharani, Hendri considered it inappropriate. Because he said, Prabowo's electability was not yet qualified to encourage Puan Maharani. Meanwhile, Mbak Puan needs someone who can encourage her electability as well. So it's still a long way off," he said.
"And it just so happens that Prabowo has a history that is not good at the presidential and vice-presidential candidate events, he often loses. So maybe even if there is a close relationship between PDIP and Gerindra, maybe Pak Prabowo will actually encourage Mas Sandi to go forward," continued Hendri.
Even so, Hendri said, the potential for a coalition between Gerindra and PDIP is still there even though the opportunity is small. Mbak Puan to win more strategically with Anies Baswedan or encouraged by Andika or Ganjar. A new figure who can really make the PDI-P work together and have the spirit to fight in the presidential and vice presidential candidates," he explained.
According to him, it is better for the parties to focus on approaching the community. Because, the party will start moving to find a coalition partner in early 2023.
“Currently the approach to the people is to increase electability. Now, this can be done by being on the side of the people when there are unfavorable government policies," said Hendri.
Previously, the Deputy Chairperson of the Gerindra Party, Habiburokhman, revealed that the possibility of his party forming a coalition with the PDI-P for the 2024 General Election is very open.