Puan Maharani Is Believed To Be The Determinant Of The 2024 Presidential Election Coalition Map

JAKARTA - Political observer Pangi Syarwi Chaniago assesses that PDI-P DPP Chairwoman Puan Maharani is an important figure in determining the map of the coalition of political parties to candidates for the 2024 presidential election.

"Indeed, the actor is Mrs. Puan. We see the prospect of the coalition, PDI-P is easy to form a coalition with anyone, it depends on Mrs. Puan, yes," Pangi said, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, 22 August.

Puan has now been given a mandate by the Chairperson of the PDI-P Megawati Soekarnoputri to open communication with all political parties.

On the other hand, all political parties are also still waiting for steps from the party bearing the bull symbol.

The Executive Director of the Voxpol Center said that a number of other political parties have already built their own coalitions.

However, Pangi said, the coalition that has been built can be seen as just an assessment and pleasantries because it does not yet have a clear direction.

With Puan's assignment to open communication with all political parties, it is not impossible that the existing coalition can be disbanded.

"Practically, no one until now has a mature coalition. That's because I think it's still waiting for the PDI-P," he said.

Pangi also believes in Puan's expertise in opening communication with all existing political parties.

Instead, he thought that Puan could be a better politician than Megawati in terms of opening up political communication.

According to him, Puan does not have a past history with other political figures which allows her to be more flexible in opening communication with all parties.

"Puan Maharani is more agile, skilled, and talented in her political movements because she doesn't have the burdens of the past or bad relations with other political parties. Her room for movement is easier than Mrs. Megawati," said Pangi.

Pangi gave an example of Puan's move to visit the office of the General Chairperson of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh. Megawati could not do that.

"Mrs. Puan can be more humble in the sense of winning. 'It's impossible for Mrs. Mega to want to visit Surya Paloh. However, Mrs. Puan wants to do that," said Pangi.

Pangi said that Puan's success could later be measured from two aspects. First, whether she can build a mature coalition between the PDI-P and other parties. Second, whether the coalition also produces presidential candidates who are in line with expectations.

"In Puan's hands, there will be far more parties that want to join the PDI-P because the taps are wide open. The candidates who will be promoted will also get better because there are more options," Pangi said.