Jakarta. Ganjar Pranowo is not only the presidential nominee of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), but he is also President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's personal pick for a successor, a party executive said on Thursday.

The confirmation from PDI-P Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto came after a video emerged showing Jokowi in a closed-door gathering telling PDI-P members that he believed Ganjar is the best person to whom he can pass the baton.

The president also praised the Central Java governor for his leadership style that allows him to get close to the people.

"That's accurate and everybody responded with thunderous applause because President Jokowi's statement confirms that he has been preparing a successor," Hasto said of the video during a press conference on the sidelines of the PDI-P national gathering in Jakarta.

Hasto said Jokowi has previously mentioned telling clues to his preferred successor that lead to Ganjar, from "white hair and wrinkles on the face" to "a leader with personal courage and political communication skill".

"It now depends on our concerted efforts [to help Ganjar win the presidency]," Hasto said.

Jokowi's support for Ganjar also demonstrates unity and shared commitment in the PDI-P leadership, he added.

In the video recorded on June 6, Jokowi told the PDI-P gathering that the quinquennial leadership successions will become the crucial moments that will determine the future of the nation.

"I say 2024, 2029, and 2034 will become stepping stones for us to grow from a developing nation to a developed nation. It remains to be seen if we can grab the opportunities," Jokowi said in the video.

"But I believe that under the future leadership of Mr. Ganjar Pranowo, we will achieve that," Jokowi said to applause from the audience.

Jokowi also described Ganjar as a "more flexible person" than him.

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