REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesia's second largest party, Golkar Party, will support former general Prabowo Subianto in July's presidential election, a senior party official said on Monday.

"At (Golkar's national meeting), Aburizal Bakrie gave a statement that the whole Golkar family and party will give its full support to (Prabowo as president and Hatta as vice president)," said Golkar's Secretary General Idrus Marham at a political rally.

The move came as a surprise as many expected Golkar to throw its support behind presidential frontrunner Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who earlier on Monday named Golkar senior party official and former vice president, Jusuf Kalla, as his running mate.

Golkar Chairman Aburizal Bakrie also said last week he would cooperate with Jokowi's coalition ahead of the July election.

Earlier, Deputy Chairman of Golkar Party, Agung Laksono said that the party would be realistic with current political situation. The hope of Golkar Party to install its candidate for president or vice president for 2014 presidential election has faded out.

"No chance no chance to install our candidate for president or vice presidential, but we can build a coalition with Gerindra Party," Laksono said 

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