'Jokowinomics' and Palestine gain Indonesia presidential election spotlight

Three months ahead of voting, country's presidential hopefuls 'tend to be populist'

In front, from left: Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo are fighting to replace incumbent President Joko Widodo, whose economic policies loom over the race. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP, Reuters, and Ken Kobayashi)

ERWIDA MAULIA, Nikkei staff writer

November 14, 2023 12:52 JST

JAKARTA -- Eager to show their support for Palestine and how they would take the handoff from President Joko Widodo and run with his economic programs, Indonesia's three presidential candidates are unfurling their platforms ahead of the election on Feb. 14.

Indonesia's General Elections Commission on Monday declared three candidates -- Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, 72, former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo, 55, and former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan, 54, -- and their respective running mates eligible to run.