Indonesia's opposition party needs partner to nominate Jokowi

In this picture taken on April 11, 2014, popular presidential candidate of main the opposition party Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo (centre) walks with his supporters in Jakarta following the April 9,
In this picture taken on April 11, 2014, popular presidential candidate of main the opposition party Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo (centre) walks with his supporters in Jakarta following the April 9, 2014 legislative election. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP

JAKARTA (REUTERS) - The opposition Indonesian Democratic-Party Struggle (PDI-P) won the most votes in last month's legislative election, according to official results on Friday, but will need support from another party even to nominate its candidate to run for president.

PDI-P won 18.9 per cent of the vote, the election commission said, short of the 25 per cent threshold needed to nominate the hugely popular Jakarta governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo as president.

PDI-P's failure to secure a decisive victory has led to some concern in financial markets that Southeast Asia's biggest economy is in for a period of political horse-trading. Both stocks and the rupiah have lost ground since the vote.

The small National Democrat (NasDem) party, which won 6.7 per cent, reaffirmed that it was backing PDI-P and Jokowi. "We have already announced our coalition with PDI-P and ... with the official results, we confirm our alliance with PDI-P,"NasDem party executive Ferry Baldan told Reuters.

Although the deal with NasDem clears the way for Jokowi's nomination, if he becomes president he will need a broader coalition to get legislation through parliament.

PDI-P's closest rivals were Golkar, once the parliamentary vehicle of the long-serving Suharto, on 14.8 per cent, and Gerindra, led by ex-general Prabowo Subianto, with 11.8 pser cent.

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