Surya Lesmana, Semarang – Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto said Sunday his chance to win the February 14 election has improved significantly since he appointed Gibran Rakabuming Raka as his running mate.

During a campaign rally in Semarang, Prabowo pointed to many polls suggesting that he now even has a chance to secure an outright win in the three-person race.

"Some people said he is a young and naive boy who doesn't understand anything. I'm sorry to say that they're mistaken – every time he appeared on the debate stage, our electability increased," Prabowo said of Gibran.

"Surveys indicate that we can win immediately in the first round but we must stay vigilant and take nothing for granted," he told thousands of supporters at Simpang Lima Square in the Central Java capital.

Prabowo is competing against former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and former Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo in his third consecutive attempt for the presidency.

Gibran, 36, the eldest son of President Joko Widodo, was announced as his running mate in October after the Constitutional Court amended the minimum age requirement of 40 for a candidate.

Prabowo's electability has increased significantly since then and by December he already surpassed Ganjar as the frontrunner.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/prabowo-admits-gibrans-arrival-improves-winning-chanc