Yudhoyono said the decision on the candidate would be made through a communication that would be done between him as the chairman of the party`s supreme council and the party`s general chairperson.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the ruling Democrat Party had yet to name its candidate for the presidential election in 2014 but would do so "in due course of time."

"The Democrat Party has not yet determined its candidate for the presidential election in 2014 but in due course of time it will announce the candidate the party supports," Yudhoyono said in his capacity as the party`s chief patron at a function to mark the party`s 10th anniversary on Thursday evening.

Yudhoyono said the decision on the candidate would be made through a communication that would be done between him as the chairman of the party`s supreme council and the party`s general chairperson.

Yudhoyono said the party had no intention to nominate Mrs Ani Yudhoyono, his wife, as the candidate. "There have been questions if Ibu (Mme) Ani would run or if the Democrat Party would nominate her. The answer is 100 percent no. Ibu Ani and I have already made it known to the public," he said.

He said a president needs not only support from the party or the will from the candidate but also support from the people and God`s blessing and therefore the next two years would provide enough time for all candidates to measure their strength.

"Remember. A president is determined not only by a candidate`s will but also the people`s," he said.

In the next two years until 2014, he said, the Democrat Party, while supporting the government to carry out its duties, would also prepare itself for the success of the general elections including determining its presidential candidate.

Yudhoyono said the Democrat Party also had not decided whether it would have its own tickets like the Yudhoyono-Boediono ticket in 2009 or would pair up its presidential candidate with a cadre from other party.

"I have also received questions if the party`s presidential

candidate is a new face or an old one. To me what is important is equal opportunity for all. So anyone who meets conditions and has capability will certainly have the right to run," he said.

Yudhoyono on the occasion was flanked by several cabinet ministers who are also party cadres such as Jero Wacik, Syarif Hassan, EE Mangindaan and Andi Mallarangeng.

The National Mandate Party (PAN) recently officially named Hatta Rajasa, who is currently chief economic minister, as its candidate for the presidential election in 2014.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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