Indonesia: Gatot and Sri Mulyani strong candidates for Jokowi’s running mate in 2019

• Despite the great popularity enjoyed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at home, he still needs a running mate to enhance his electability in the 2019 presidential election, analysts say.
• Jokowi’s approval rating remains stable, at 68% as of Sep 17, according to a survey by Jakarta-based pollster Indikator Politik Indonesia, which polled 1,220 respondents in 34 provinces.
• According to Indikator executive director Burhanuddin Muhtadi, there are two strong candidates for vice president, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, who scored highest in the poll that also listed Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil, Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo.
• “Gatot would help Jokowi gain support among voters who choose Prabowo Subianto,” Burhanuddin said. Gatot’s military background can be helpful among Muslim groups. “Jokowi lacks strong footing among Muslims voters,” Burhanuddin said.
• According to him, as Jokowi’s own voters tend to gravitate toward Sri Mulyani, he needs to attract new ones, especially in Banten and West Sumatra, where his approval ratings are low.
• “These voters tend to support Gatot or Prabowo,” Burhanuddin said. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), nominated Jokowi as its candidate in the 2019 presidential race.

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