Analyst Says PDIP Stands to Gain Significantly by Nominating Megawati Soekarnoputri for 2029 Presidential Election

Jakarta, VIVA – Political communications analyst Hendri Satrio has assessed that PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) has strong reasons to consider nominating Megawati Soekarnoputri as its presidential candidate in the 2029 election.

He said that fielding Megawati would in fact bring a number of strategic benefits to the bull-symbolled party.

“For PDI Perjuangan, nominating Megawati Soekarnoputri as a presidential candidate is in no way detrimental — rather, it would deliver significant advantages for the party,” said Hendri Satrio in a statement quoted on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

The founder of the KedaiKOPI Survey Institute emphasised that one of the key benefits is the ability of a Megawati candidacy to maintain internal party cohesion and unity.

He explained that if other names were put forward — such as Pramono Anung, Puan Maharani, or Ganjar Pranowo — this could potentially trigger speculation and succession rivalries within the party leadership, ultimately undermining solidarity.

“If other figures such as Mas Pram, Mbak Puan, or Mas Ganjar were put forward, aside from generating various internal intrigues within PDI Perjuangan due to the potential of replacing Ibu Megawati as General Chairperson, the party’s solidarity would not necessarily be as strong as when Megawati herself stands,” he said.

Furthermore, Hendri highlighted the significant coattail effect of a Megawati candidacy, which he believes would boost and sustain PDI Perjuangan’s electoral performance, particularly in the legislative elections.

“To create an optimal coattail effect for PDI Perjuangan, the party needs to field Megawati. Without Bu Mega, there is a risk of a heavy defeat to Gerindra in the legislative elections, which could end their hat-trick record of seats,” he said.

“It should be noted that to date PDI Perjuangan still holds the record for the highest DPR seat share at 33 per cent in 1999, and I am confident that 35 per cent is not impossible for Gerindra. To prevent a sharp decline in DPR seats, Megawati must be nominated to maintain the party’s legislative strength,” he added.

Regarding the prospects of victory in the presidential election, Hendri Satrio acknowledged that facing Prabowo Subianto as the incumbent would present a formidable challenge for Megawati.

“Indeed, if facing Pak Prabowo, it would be difficult to win given his incumbent status, and history shows that no incumbent has lost in our presidential elections since 2004,” he said.