Meeting Prabowo Subianto's Supporting Coalition, PAN Offers Erick Thohir To Be A Vice Presidential Candidate

The declaration of Golkar and PAN supports Prabowo as a presidential candidate (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the DPP National Mandate Party (PAN) Bima Arya Sugiarto said that his party offered the name Erick Thohir as a candidate for vice president (cawapres) to accompany Prabowo Subianto when he decided to join the Gerindra-PKB coalition.

"Our first priority is to (present Erick as vice presidential candidate). PAN is in that position, of course, because of Pak Erick Thohir's closeness with us," said Bima Arya after the Golkar and PAN declaration supported Prabowo as a presidential candidate at the Proclamation Script Formation Museum, Central Jakarta, Sunday, August 13.

However, Bima Arya has not been able to confirm whether the Gerindra, PKB, Golkar, and PAN coalitions approved the name of the SOE Minister to become Prabowo's pair in the 2024 presidential election.

"PAN offers Erick Thohir, who has closeness and is considered by the PAN family, yes, but when we join, everything has been calculated. Right, it is impossible for us to set a fixed price there. There are still bigger considerations there," explained Bima Arya.

In fact, Bima Arya admitted that these four parties have opened talks about the Prabowo vice presidential exchange whose names have narrowed. However, this has not been disclosed to the public.

"When the declaration has been made, there must have been talks. There is an agreement that has not been disclosed to the public. The name has narrowed, all parties are aware of that," explained Bima Arya.

Previously, Gerindra Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto said that the four parties would still discuss determining who the vice presidential candidate could be to accompany him.

"Talking about the vice president, we have agreed that we will continue to discuss, discuss, look for the best candidates that these four parties can accept," said Prabowo.

Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto also said that the four parties would continue to establish communication to finalize the coalition until the determination of Prabowo's vice presidential candidate.

"I feel proud that 4 parties are united and in our attitude that we leaders of these 4 parties are easy to communicate. Also have the same vision and mission. Of course, future trips are still there and there are many things we need to talk about," said Airlangga.