How a former army general built Indonesia's most powerful populist political machine

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 2008 as a vehicle for Prabowo Subianto, the Gerindra Party has evolved from an opposition force into the ruling power of Indonesia. By blending nationalism with economic populism, it has successfully navigated the country's complex political landscape to secure the presidency and a dominant parliamentary position.

The Gerindra Party, or Great Indonesia Movement Party, was established on 6 February 2008 at the suggestion of Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the younger brother of Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo, a former army general, utilized the party as his primary political platform after resigning from the Golkar Party's Advisory Board in July 2008. From its inception, the party was designed to reflect nationalist and populist aspirations, rooted in the foundational principles of Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

Gerindra's rise was marked by steady electoral growth. After securing 26 seats in its 2009 legislative debut, the party's influence surged in 2014, when it captured 73 seats and 11.8% of the vote. Following a period of opposition, the party joined the government coalition in 2019 after Prabowo reconciled with then-president Joko Widodo. This trajectory culminated in 2024, when Prabowo won the presidential election in the first round, cementing Gerindra's control over the executive branch.

Ideologically, the party is often described as right-wing populist, though its classification remains a subject of academic debate. While some international observers label it secular or ultranationalist, others, such as Tom Power, prefer the term 'inclusivist-nationalist' due to the party's pragmatic approach to Islamic political agendas. Gerindra's platform explicitly rejects liberal democracy and economic liberalization, advocating instead for state-led economic measures, protectionism, and a culturally aligned democratic system that emphasizes strong national leadership.

The party maintains a vast organizational structure, including specialized wings for diverse demographics, such as youth, women, religious groups, and labor movements. This infrastructure, combined with a focus on the lower middle class, has allowed Gerindra to build a broad support base across major islands like Java, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. Today, under Prabowo's leadership, the party stands as a central pillar of Indonesian governance, actively shaping the nation's political and economic future.

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