Ganjar Responds to Prabowo's Claim That PDIP's Heart Is with the Government

PDI-P DPP chairman Ganjar Pranowo has responded to President Prabowo Subianto’s statement regarding political coalitions and his belief that PDI-P’s heart is aligned with the government. Ganjar stated that sharing the same aspirations does not mean the party must join the ruling coalition.

“We agree that all political forces share the responsibility to safeguard the nation and uphold the 1945 Constitution and all applicable laws in accordance with their oath of office. In that sense, our national spirit is indeed the same. However, sharing the same ideals does not mean all parties must be in the government’s ranks,” Ganjar told reporters on Friday (24/7/2026).

Ganjar then spoke about the democratic system, arguing that the government and non-coalition parties provide a mechanism for checks and balances. “In a democratic system, the division of roles between the government and a balancing force is a healthy mechanism to ensure checks and balances function and power does not go unchecked, thus preventing absolute power,” he said.

He affirmed that PDI-P is not part of the Prabowo-Gibran government coalition. Nonetheless, he assured that the party respects the President. “Therefore, PDI-P’s position today is clear. We respect the President as the head of government who has received the people’s mandate, but we will also consistently carry out our oversight function,” he stated.

Ganjar said the party would offer criticism to ensure policies remain pro-people. He noted that future political dynamics could change. “The criticism we deliver is not intended to bring down the government, but to ensure policies remain within the constitutional corridor and serve the people. As for future political dynamics, time will tell,” he said. “What is certain is that PDI-P’s political stance is not determined by the lure of power or position, but by the interests of the people and a commitment to safeguarding democracy,” he added.

Separately, PDI-P DPP chairman Deddy Sitorus added that Prabowo’s statement was correct in that the party shares many similar views with the government. He noted that PDI-P chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri also shares Prabowo’s aspiration to eradicate malnutrition. “For example, PDI-P and Ibu Megawati have long advocated for and fought to eradicate stunting in children and pregnant women. PDI-P is also very concerned with issues of education, people’s economy, poverty alleviation, rural development, food sovereignty, and the empowerment of fishermen and coastal communities, among others,” he said.

Despite sharing a common vision, Deddy stressed that PDI-P remains outside the government coalition. He said the party would provide input to ensure government programmes are well-targeted. “Because these issues are all so vital, PDI-P feels the need to continuously offer suggestions and ideas to ensure various programmes run well, efficiently, and effectively. And the best position to support these programmes will only be effective if PDI-P stands outside the government as a balancing force,” he said.

According to him, PDI-P would not be able to provide critical input on government policies if it joined the cabinet. However, the party also cannot be in total opposition. “For us, in this situation, being a balancing force is a position of historical responsibility. On all good policies and programmes, we will stand with the government. But on matters where we differ, we will always remind and criticise,” he added.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto spoke about the condition of the political coalition during his administration, including PDI-P’s stance. Prabowo said that in essence, PDI-P shares the same heart. “So, brothers and sisters, competing is good. Contesting is good. Sometimes we part ways, that is fine. Later we will join together again,” Prabowo said during his speech at the 28th PKB anniversary celebration at JCC Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday (23/7/2026) evening. “PDI-P, in fact, their heart is the same as ours, really. Try checking, dig into their hearts. It is actually the same,” he said.