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With results of presidential election yet to be announced, a breakdown in the coalition nominating ex-general Prabowo Subanto and former key economy minister Hatta Radjasa seems more likely with a major ally, the Golkar party, hinted at a withdraw from the coalition.
"Coalition is divided into two, the one in the presidential election and in the parliament. It is not a new thing that Golkar opts to join in the elected government in the parliament,"Golkar party executive Tantowi Yahya said earlier this week, sparking speculations that his party, with91 seats in the parliament, may coalesce with Prabowo's contender coalition.
A senior executive at Indonesia Democratic of Struggle (PDI-P) Tjahjo Kumolo saidon Tuesday that the coalition nominating Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo and seasoned politician from Golkar Party Jusuf Kalla running in the election would open up possibilities to accept more parties into the coalition.
"We open for parties which are willing to coalesce with other parties pledging commitments to usher in the development for the sake of people's welfare," Tjahjo said, adding that presidential hopeful Joko Widodo had also showed readiness to accept Golkar should it wants to join his coalition.
Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla pairing is supported by four parties with seats in the parliament, securing them the supports of 207 legislators in the parliament.
Later on Monday, the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party coalition nominating Prabowo-Hatta cemented their cooperation through the parliament, making sure their gripof 353 out of 560 seats in the parliament.
The coalition was joined by six parties with seats in the parliament, including Democrat Party, the Golkar party, Nation Awakening Party (PKB), National Mandate Party (PAN), Gerindra and Justice and Prosperous Party (PKS).
Ari Dwipayana, an analyst from Gajah Mada state university said that the declaration to make permanent coalition in the parliament suggested the coalition's indirect recognition that Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla may possibly win the election.
"The declaration could be perceived as Prabowo's anticipating move to build up a retaliating bloc in the parliament," Ari was quoted by local media as saying.
Tension has been mounting in real vote counting process, prompting arch-rival presidential candidates to announce victory based on results of vote quick counts carried out by pollster agencies under their auspices.
The General Election Commission (KPU) was scheduled to announce results of the real vote count on July 22, thus qualifying the new president to govern the nation until 2019.
