REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party has asked the Democratic Party (PD) to join a coalition in the coming 2019 presidential elections. Gerindra hoped that the PD would coalesce with Gerindra to contest in the presidential race in 2019.

Deputy Executive Board Chairman of the Gerindra, Ahmad Riza Patria, said that Gerindra opens its door wide for PD to join the coalition. Gerindra will give a chance to the cadres of the parties in coalition to convey their ideas, visions, and missions.

Patria remarked that there are a number of names being mentioned to be picked up as would-be vice presidential candidates. The figures included Anies Baswedan (current Jakarta governor), Salim Asssegaf, Zulkifli Hasan, and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY).

Also read: Intensive communication with Gerindra continues: AHY

"Gerindra and Prabowo Subianto will not decide the candidates but the coalition forum. It will decide the best candidate to be picked up as the vice presidential candidate," he revealed here on Thursday.

Patria added that all the vice presidential candidates have the same opportunity. Yet, the coalition hoped it would remain solid and the parties in coalition would accept the decision taken by the coalition forum.

He explained that it was reasonable if parties are fighting to have their cadres been picked up as the vice presidential candidate to pair up with Prabowo.

"However, because there is only one seat, we must also be realistic. We must sit together to determine one of the names as Prabowo's vice presidential candidate," he noted.

Gerindra has decided to name its leader Prabowo as its presidential candidate in the coming 2019 presidential race. Prabowo said next week he will meet General Chairman of Democratic Party, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The two leaders were supposed to meet on Wednesday, but it was cancelled since SBY was hospitalized the day before.

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