presented the first candidates for the 2024 presidential elections

They are the governor of the capital, Anies Basweden, and that of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo. While the former doesn’t even please party members, the latter has gained more and more popularity thanks to social media and his commitment to the fight against corruption.

Jakarta () – Following the decision of the National Democratic Party (NASDEM) to nominate the governor of the capital, Anies Baswedan, for the 2024 presidential elections, the Solidarity Party (PSI) – a formation that is particularly popular among young Indonesians – responded with the candidacy of the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo.

Thus begins the race for the presidency in Indonesia, although the election of Anies already seems very unpopular, both in the population and within his own party; Dozens of NASDEM members in different regions have resigned as a sign of opposition. President Joko Widodo has declined to comment on the candidacy of Anies, who had initially been chosen to serve as Education Minister and was later replaced during a government reshuffle. In June he was charged with corruption for organizing a Formula E event. The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Commission is still investigating the case.

Many in the country fear the return of discriminatory and sectarian narratives, thanks to which the Nasdem representative had defeated Basuki Tjahaja Purnama -known in the country as Ahok- in the Jakarta gubernatorial elections in 2017. Anies is considered a politician “of empty words”, in which the propaganda slogans do not correspond to real actions. Ahok, on the other hand, is a Christian of Chinese origin who had fallen out of favor with Indonesian Muslim fundamentalists due to comments on the Koran that were deemed inappropriate. Anies has repeatedly made controversial statements (among them, that the rains should return to Earth, as the Lord wants, and not discharge into the sea) and has implemented policies contrary to what he promised in the electoral campaign, such as the demolition from the slums around Jakarta.

Ganjar sees himself as a completely different type of person, with a more cross-cutting consensus in society. He grew up in the ranks of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) and became popular through skillful production of media content on social media.

As governor, Ganjar enacted a financial loan reform at a rate of 2% (the lowest in Indonesia when the policy was implemented), with no collateral or administrative fees. Now the model, which even received praise from President Joko Widodo, has also been replicated by the other provinces of Indonesia. In 2015, the Anti-Corruption Commission presented the Central Java Administration with an Award for the Corruption Complaints it had filed, recognition gained thanks to Ganjar’s commitment to combating bribery of local officials.