"It will very much depend on PAN. If PAN is able to garner votes up to two digits in the general election in 2014 the hope will be strong. But if it only wins seven percent like in the 2009 general elections that will not be large enough (to support his bid)," the party`s founder said here on Monday.
Amien said that although the current chief economic minister has become President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s in-law it was no guarantee that the Democrat Party would support him.
President Yudhoyono is the chief patron of the ruling Democrat Party. "Only God knows," Amien said commenting on the possibility of the Democrat Party supporting Hatta.
Amien, who is a former chairman of the People`s Consultative Assembly, referred to the current general chairman of Golkar Party, Aburizal Bakrie (Ical) as the one that has a big opportunity to win the next presidential election in 2014.
"I think Ical will be one of the strong candidates. He is a strong candidate and has a big party. Another one is Surya Paloh," he said.
PAN, which is one of the country`s ten biggest political parties, named Hatta as its presidential candidate at a national working meeting here recently. Golkar Party has also named Aburizal as its candidate.
An Indonesia Democratic Party Struggel (PDIP) figure meanwhile has said that the party`s candidate could be Megawati Soekarnoputri (current party chairperson) or Puan Maharani (Megawati`s daughter who is also a party executive).
President Yudhoyono meanwhile will not be able to run again as the law allows someone to serve as president for a maximum of only two terms.
Amien Rais earlier said it would be better if the next president would not be too old or too young.
He mentioned as prospective candidates among others Hatta Rajasa, Aburizal Bakrie, Prabowo Subianto (former army general), Surya Paloh (media mogul), Sri Mulyani (former finance minister), Pramono Anung (PDIP figure) and Puan Maharani.
(Uu.H-YH/HAJM/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
