PDIP Criticises Prabowo's Three Visits to France in Five Months

The Central Leadership Council (DPP) of PDIP has highlighted President Prabowo Subianto’s three visits to France within the past five months since early 2026. DPP PDIP Chairman Andreas Hugo Pareira noted that Indonesia previously had a president criticised for frequent foreign trips during Abdurrahman Wahid’s (Gus Dur) administration. He said the same situation is now occurring with Prabowo. “We once had a president criticised for travelling abroad often during Gus Dur’s time. Now, people are saying the same about President Prabowo,” Andreas stated after a PDIP training event in Jakarta on Saturday, 30 May. The deputy chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission XIII stated that state visits by the president must have clear objectives and agendas, including specific targets. However, he noted that the latest visit to France was not publicly announced beforehand, leading to public controversy and questions. “This raises questions because explanations only come after the trip. The media and public should be informed before the president travels, as he represents the nation,” he said. Andreas therefore called on the presidential spokesperson to clarify the controversy surrounding the visits. He stressed that the government must ensure the purpose and intent behind future state visits are transparent. Prabowo has made three trips to France since early 2026: on 23 January, 14 April, and most recently on 27 May. According to a Cabinet Secretariat statement, during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Prabowo highlighted the close collaboration between the two nations in bilateral cooperation, particularly in addressing global uncertainties, and emphasised the importance of Indonesia and France’s role in maintaining world peace. “Looking ahead, we are confident that in this global climate of uncertainty, tension, and conflict, our two countries can play a positive role. Indonesia will always support efforts to preserve peace. In today’s world, where the globe is shrinking due to science and technology, war and conflict cannot bring benefit to anyone,” Prabowo said. Prabowo also welcomed the strengthening of bilateral ties through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CEPA). On global issues, Prabowo and Macron discussed the importance of Middle East stability, which directly impacts global energy and supply chains. Prabowo reiterated Indonesia’s support for a two-state solution as the path to peace in Palestine. “I am pleased that France is a pioneer in encouraging many European and Western nations to support a two-state solution and Palestinian independence. Indonesia remains of the view that there can be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution and justice for the Palestinian people,” Prabowo said. The High-Level Business Council was launched on 28 May in the presence of both heads of state. Minister of Investment and Downstreaming and Head of BKPM Rosan Roeslani welcomed the launch of the France-Indonesia High-Level Business Council as a strategic step to strengthen economic relations between Indonesia and France and accelerate investment and trade realisation between the two countries.