PDIP-Gerindra Coalition Disappears Because The Slate Agreement Ends? Not Necessarily

Megawati Soekarno Putri and Prabowo Subianto. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Slate Agreement that overshadowed PDIP and Gerindra was brought up again when the issue of the two parties was reportedly reconciled. A number of parties assume that the contents of the agreement, one of which supports Prabowo Subianto in the 2014 presidential election, will be realized in 2024.

However, PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto confirmed that the slate agreement made by the PDIP General Chair, Megawati Soekarnoputri and the Gerindra Party Chair, Prabowo Subianto had ended in the 2009 election.

Then, does Hasto's statement about the collapse of the Batu Tulis agreement close the opportunity for Megawati and Prabowo to reconcile again in 2024? Apparently not necessarily.

Political communication observer from Esa Unggul University, Jamiluddin Ritonga, believes that PDIP and Gerindra can still form a coalition. Moreover, PDIP has stated that it is comfortable in forming a coalition with Gerindra.

"The opportunity for PDIP and Gerindra to form a coalition in the 2024 presidential election is still very open. That possibility also came from Hasto who stated that PDIP was comfortable in forming a coalition with Gerindra, PKB, PAN, and PPP. ideology," Jamiludin told VOI, Saturday, May 29.

If there is a coalition, which presidential and vice presidential candidates will be promoted? Jamiludin saw that the candidates were still unclear, but there were already names on the radar, namely Puan Maharani and Ganjar Pranowo from PDIP, as well as Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno from Gerindra.

If viewed from the political logic, the PDIP presidential candidate and the vice presidential candidate should be from Gerindra. This logic is based on the vote acquisition in the 2019 legislative elections, in which the PDIP received the most votes.

In addition, Hasto has also given a signal that PDIP will carry a presidential candidate, not a vice presidential candidate. "This signal is clear, the chances of a PDIP candidate becoming a vice presidential candidate are small," he said.

But, according to Jamiludin, Prabowo's electability, which is quite impressive in a number of survey institutions, is difficult to become a vice presidential candidate. Especially when paired with the presidential candidate, Puan Maharani, whose electability is currently very low.

"So, if Prabowo, who is promoted by Gerindra as a presidential candidate, and PDIP also want the same position, then it is difficult for the two parties to form a coalition. The two parties will separate and look for other parties to form a coalition," he said.

However, there is still an alternative for PDIP and Gerindra to pair up in the 2024 presidential election. As long as Megawati and Prabowo are willing to replace their respective candidates, namely Ganjar and Sandiaga.

"The Puan-Sandiaga pair or vice versa can indeed be paired. It's just that this pair has a very small chance of winning in the 2024 presidential election. The reason is that Puan's factor does not have a selling value," said Jamiludin.

"The Ganjar-Sandiaga pair or vice versa seems more promising. Each individual has good electability. Both have good selling points to be marketed, so the chance of winning is still open," he added.