What is Indonesia’s newest political dynasty—the Widodo family?
The rise of the Jokowi dynasty in Indonesia is a significant development in the country's political culture. Joko Widodo's presidency was seen as a milestone as he was the first president not from the political, military, or Islamic establishment. After one term, the foundations for his own political family were laid, with his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka being elected Mayor of Surakarta in 2021. However, unlike other political dynasties in Indonesia, the Widodo family does not have an exclusive political vehicle in the form of its own party. As a result, the family is dependent on decisions made by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) executive, namely Megawati Sukarnoputri.
The first challenge for the Widodo family will be to secure incumbency for family members currentl...