U20 World Cup Heatup Relations Canceled, CSIS: Jokowi-PDIP Still Needs Each Other

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo held a closed meeting with PAN, PPP, Golkar, PKB and Gerindra at the PAN DPP, Sunday, March 2. From the row of parties supporting the government, PDIP and the NasDem Party did not take part. The absence of PDIP has led to speculation that Jokowi's relationship with his party is heating up. This is said to be due to a different attitude between Jokowi and PDIP in responding to Israel at the 2023 U20 World Cup.

CSIS researcher Arya Fernandes admitted that different attitudes that led to the failure of Indonesia to host the 2023 U20 World Cup had indeed disrupted the relationship between the two. However, Jokowi and PDIP still need each other. "I think we are still waiting for another situation, we have not been able to draw conclusions with the meeting. Even though after the post-agency U20 world trophy affected the dynamics between the Government and the PDIP, but we both need Jokowi and PDIP," Arya said when contacted, Monday, March 3. "So even though there are conditions and dynamics, both of them always try to strengthen themselves. Moreover, Jokowi is also a PDIP cadre, his son-in-law is also promoted by PDIP, in the future his political career will still be in PDIP. So far I think they will look for a formula," he added.

Nevertheless, Arya said, despite the different attitudes regarding the U20 World Cup, it did not interfere with Jokowi and PDIP's relationship. Although it does affect whether the two of them are still trying to get closer.

"It's not disturbing the relationship, but after the U-20 World Cup it does affect the relationship but the two of them need each other and have been trying to stay in touch since 2014," said Arya.

Regarding the absence of PDIP at the PAN gathering, Arya admitted that he did not know. However, the closed meeting between Jokowi and the five Ketum of his supporting political parties was driven by the lack of certainty about the presidential and vice presidential candidates who will compete in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. "I don't know exactly why PDIP didn't come, it could be asked to PAN or PDIP, but I think yesterday's meeting will be a new milestones, yes, regarding the prospects for political parties going forward in the midst of conditions, there is no certainty of a combination of presidential candidates, especially in the side of the United Indonesia Coalition, Gerindra and PKB. This uncertainty prompted the party to meet and encourage negotiations," he explained.

Regarding PDIP being able to carry the vice presidential candidate himself because there are two potential cadres, namely Ganjar Pranowo and Puan Maharani, Arya thinks it is still very dynamic. It could be, he said, after yesterday's meeting PDIP communicated with one of the five political parties.

"I think the situation will be very dynamic. The coalition of the five parties is also still optional, not necessarily a coalition. It is also still waiting for the time to form a coalition, and because changes are still possible new breakthroughs from PDIP suddenly communicates with PKB, for example or other parties in the five parties, so that option is still open," he concluded.