Jakarta – Asenior Golkar politician has said an interim chairman of the party will be elected by acclamation in a plenary meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
Member of the Golkar executive board Meutya Hafid, who is also an aide to ousted chairman Airlangga Hartarto, said the decision to appoint an interim chairman would be left to the deputy chairmen, who she expected to convene for the decision.
"There should not be a vote [...] we suggest that all deputy chairmen of the party sit together and unanimously agree on a name so that the plenary meeting can run smoothly," Meutya was quoted by Antara as saying.
Meutya said an acclamation would be the best way to ease tension within the party, which is currently reeling from the shock resignation of Airlangga over the weekend.
Airlangga delivered his resignation speech on Sunday throwing the party into turmoil, only months after the party scored its best electoral performance in years and delivered a win for Prabowo Subianto's presidential bid.
The party is scheduled to hold the plenary meeting on Tuesday to elect the new interim chairman before the next crucial stage of holding an extraordinary party congress to vote for a new definitive leader of the party.
Many expect Trade Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasminta will be appointed Golkar's interim chairman.