The Reasons For The Possibility Of PDIP Joining KIB And KKIR And Not Selecting Anies Baswedan

Photo via Antara

Political communication observer from Esa Unggul University, M. Jamiluddin Ritonga, assesses that it is possible for PDIP to merge with the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) and the Greater Indonesia Awakening Coalition (KKIR). This choice is to match the Change Coalition that carries Anies Baswedan.

The Coalition for Amendments to the champion Anies Baswedan, was built by NasDem, Democrats and PKS. Meanwhile, the United Indonesia Coalition (KIB) consists of Golkar, PAN and PPP. For the Greater Indonesia Awakening Coalition (KKIR) formed by Gerindra and PKB.

Jamiluddin said, it would be difficult for KIB and KKIR to match Anies if he did not join. On the other hand, PDIP prefers the 2024 General Election to be followed by two axes so that only one round is carried out.

"It is possible that the PDIP will also merge with KIB and KKIR. If this happens, then the strength of this coalition will become very fat," said Jamiluddin in Jakarta, Friday, February 17. The opportunity to join KIB and KKIR, according to Jamiluddin, was initiated by the meeting of Ketum Golkar Airlangga Hartarto and Ketum PKB Muhaimin Iskandar last weekend. The meeting, he said, could change the coalition map. The reason is, until now the political map of the 2024 election is still very fluid. Because there is no coalition that has determined a presidential candidate pair (candidate) to be promoted.

"Therefore, coalition changes in KIB and KKIR remain open," said Jamiluddin.

While the second possibility, KIB and KKIR will join forces to form a new coalition if President Joko Widodo wants it. If this happens, there will be two axes in the 2024 General Election, namely a coalition that will continue the direction of Jokowi's development, and a coalition that wants change by carrying Anies.

"But in terms of democracy, it is more ideal for four pairs of presidential candidates to advance. If this happens, the people will be presented with more choices," he said.

On the other hand, coalition members' parties will change course if KIB and KKIR fail in the agreement of the presidential and vice presidential candidates. It is known, each political party is still adamant about nominating its general chairman as a presidential candidate.

"KIB and KKIR failed to agree on the presidential candidate pair to be promoted. Therefore, there is an opportunity for political parties in the two coalitions to change course," he said.

According to him, there is an opportunity for PKB to move to KIB when the interests of Muhaimin Iskandar to become a vice presidential candidate are not accommodated by the Head of Gerindra, Prabowo Subianto.

"On the other hand, there is a possibility that PAN and PPP will switch to Gerindra if the presidential or vice presidential candidates they will carry are not accommodated by Golkar," said Jamiluddin.