Jokowi’s rival will give him a tough fight next year

Subject

Prabowo Subianto's understated popularity.

Significance

A rally in Jakarta at the start of this month, called the ‘212 Reunion’, brought together supporters of Prabowo Subianto, who will challenge President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo in next April’s presidential election. Many of the demonstrators were from recently established ‘emak-emak’ (‘mothers’) groups.

Impacts

• Women’s activism will intensify in Indonesia.
• Jokowi will aim to appeal to voters through food and fuel subsidies.
• If elected vice president, Sandiaga Uno would likely emphasise the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises.