Gerindra Surakarta Schedules Meeting With Kaesang, Discusses Pilkada

Prabowo Subianto during a shake with Kaesang Pangarep during Lebaran last year in Solo. BETWEEN/HO-Documentation Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat

SOLO - The Branch Leadership Council (DPC) of the Gerindra City Party of Surakarta has scheduled a meeting with Kaesang Pangarep which reportedly wants to take part in the 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada).

Gerindra Party DPC chairman Ardianto Kuswinarno said the agenda for the meeting would be carried out after the registration of prospective legislative candidates from the Gerindra Party to the General Election Commission (KPU).

"After registering on May 14, the KPU, I want to ask for time to meet Mr. Kaesang. I and the Gerindra Solo team want to discuss this, what is clear is that the party's agenda will be completed on May 14 (14). After that, we will carry out our activities outside, namely meeting him (Kaesang, ed)," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 10.

At the meeting, his party will also discuss regarding Kaesang's desire to take part in the 2024 Pilkada.

"Why Depok, why not Solo, it must be underlined first. He wants Depok, I want Solo," he said.

He is optimistic that with Kaesang's ability supported by a strong team, President Jokowi's youngest son will be able to lead Solo well.

"I have confidence, from the time the President managed to lead Solo, Mas Gibran was very successful. This is with Mas Kaesang, I believe with the seeds, bebet, weights, he has a strong team behind him to carry him, I am sure Solo will move forward again," he said.

He said the decision to carry Kaesang without a coalition would be seen from the results of the Gerindra Party's seat in the upcoming legislative elections. In the 2024 Legislative Election, his party is targeting the acquisition of eleven seats in the Surakarta City DPRD.

"If it hasn't been carried out, it's determined by Gerindra Solo, the target is eleven, if nine, you can carry it yourself. If the target is achieved, it is very likely that Kaesang can happen," he said.

Meanwhile, related to the closeness between Kaesang Pangarep and the General Chair of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto, he said, had been going on for a long time. In fact, the relationship between President Jokowi's family and Prabowo is like family.

"Yes, when we talk, Pak Jokowi's family and Pak Prabowo are very close. Even he and the government often discuss outside of work, they are like family, including with Mas Kaesang and Mas Gibran. During the Lebaran visit, Mr. Gibran accompanied him to go everywhere, the chemistry was all connected, Mr. Gibran, Mr. Kaesang with the president and Mr. Prabowo," he said.

Previously, Kaesang appeared in public through YouTube wearing a t-shirt with Prabowo Subianto.