Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo and Jusuf Kalla Preparing Official Announcement
Although we are still waiting for the official announcement (which is expected to follow shortly), more and more signs are pointing towards the nomination of Jusuf Kalla as the running mate (or vice-presidential candidate) of Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in the presidential election that is scheduled for 9 July 2014. The pair will have the full support of the PDI-P, NasDem, PKB and Hanura coalition. The chairmen of the NasDem (Surya Paloh) and PKB (Muhaimin Iskandar) have reportedly confirmed that Kalla will be the running mate.
Also the secretary general of the PDI-P, Tjahjo Kumolo, confirmed that last night the coalition decided to back Jusuf Kalla as vice-president.
Presidential and vice-presidential candidates have until midnight on Tuesday (20/05) to register their nominees at the General Election Commission (KPU).
Markets already reacted positively to speculation that Jokowi and Kalla will run as a pair in the election. The benchmark Jakarta Composite Index surged more than one percent after opening on Monday (19/05) although declined to +0.82 percent as the official declaration is getting closer around 10:30 local Jakarta time. The Indonesian rupiah rate strengthened 0.56 percent to IDR 11,349 per US dollar around the same time.
Prabowo Subianto, chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) together with Hatta Rajasa (chairman of the PAN) are also expected to register their candidacy today. Subianto will be the presidential nominee of the Gerindra, PAN, PPP, PKS coalition, while Rajasa will be the vice-presidential candidate.