Biggest party PDI-P to back Prabowo, but no coalition deal yet

Indonesia's largest political party said it would support incoming president Prabowo Subianto, but it was unclear on Oct 17 whether it would formally join his already dominant coalition, just days ahead of the inauguration ceremony.

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If Mr Prabowo, who will take over the presidency on Oct 20, can reach a deal with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), there would be no opposition parties in Parliament, an unprecedented situation since Indonesia began holding direct presidential elections in 2004.

“We are solid in supporting the incoming government as a way to build Indonesia's future,” Ms Puan Maharani, House Speaker and a senior PDI-P official, said on Oct 16, according to state media. It was unclear whether she meant the PDI-P was joining the coalition.

The PDI-P did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for clarification of the comment.