List from Gerindra, Unsa Chancellor Becomes First Woman in the Surakarta Regional Election

The Chancellor of the University of Surakarta, Astrid Widayani, became the first woman to participate in the 2024 Surakarta regional elections.

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KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

The issue of air pollution is not new. The situation of the community under the threat of air pollution has been ongoing for a long time. There is also no shortage of research evidence indicating the danger of air pollution's impact. However, this has yet to result in significant efforts to control air pollution. As a result, residents are increasingly suffering from the impact of air pollution. Rector of Surakarta University, Astrid Widayani, registered herself to participate in the nomination process for the mayoral candidate of Surakarta through the local branch of the Gerindra Party in Surakarta, Central Java, on Thursday, May 9th, 2024. She became the first woman to participate in the mayoral nomination in the region.

SURAKARTA, KOMPAS — Chancellor of the University of Surakarta Astrid Widayani registered himself in the selection of regional head candidates held by the Party Branch Leadership Council Gerindra Surakarta City. She became the first woman to take part in the competition.

Astrid filled out a registration form to become a candidate for mayor of Surakarta at the Gerindra Party Branch Office in Surakarta, Central Java, on Thursday (9/5/2024). She was accompanied by her husband and several relatives. This was the first day of candidate registration opened by the party.

"With the blessing of my parents, husband and all my friends, I declare that I am ready to run in the 2024 Pilkada (Regional Head Election) for the City of Surakarta. "With this, I can devote more time, energy and thoughts to this city," said Astrid.

Also read: Party Coalition for Surakarta City Pilkada Still Liquid

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Chancellor of Surakarta University Astrid Widayani

So far, Astrid admitted that she has been more active in the field of education and human resource development through her involvement in higher education. She wants to provide greater benefits if she is eventually selected as a potential regional head candidate.

Personally, Astrid also appreciates all the development and progress brought by her predecessor, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. He wants to continue the work that Gibran has done if he is later allowed to compete in the 2024 regional elections. Human resource development will again be the focus. "Of course, we also want to continue to maximize the use of priority points (17 Gibran priority projects) that have been built so far," said Astrid.

KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

Surakarta University Chancellor Astrid Widayani (left) shakes hands with the Chairman of the Gerindra Party DPC for Surakarta City Ardianto Kuswinarno (right), Thursday (9/5/2024).

By participating in the selection process, Astrid becomes the first female candidate to show her seriousness in running for office. Not only in the party where she registered, but also among other parties that have opened up the selection process, such as PDI-Perjuangan. Out of around 20 individuals who registered, all of them were men.

Looking further, Astrid also seems to want to shake up the tradition of leadership in the city. Until now, the city has always been led by male regional heads. Nevertheless, Astrid is optimistic that she can garner public sympathy if she is nominated later. She hopes that in the future, people will choose leaders based on their capabilities, not their gender. "My hope is that in the future, the community can see concretely what I intend to do and that my intentions are solely for the progress of the city," said Astrid.

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Chairman of the Gerindra Party DPC for Surakarta City Ardianto Kuswinarno at the Gerindra Party DPC Office for Surakarta City, Central Java, Thursday (9/5/2024).

This is so that there will be a "Srikandi" who breaks the egg. So far, it has always been led by men. This will give women a better role in the city of Solo.

The chairman of the Gerindra Party DPC in Surakarta, Ardianto Kuswinarno, sees Astrid's seriousness in the 2024 Regional Election contest. He considers Astrid's outstanding educational background to be helpful in leading the city.

"In terms of intelligence, nothing is lacking. That's where we got interested. With Astrid's candidacy, this is so that there will be a 'heroine' who will break her egg. So far, it has always been led by men. "In future, the role of women in the city of Solo will also be better," said Ardianto.

Despite conducting a selection process, Gerindra is unable to nominate its own candidate in the 2024 Surakarta regional election (Pilkada). This is because the party only managed to collect five seats in the Surakarta City Legislative Council (DPRD Kota Surakarta). Meanwhile, a party or coalition of parties must have at least nine seats to be able to nominate their preferred candidate pair.

Also read: Gibran: PDI-P Favorite in Surakarta Pilkada

KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

The Rector of the University of Surakarta, Astrid Widayani (center), registered to participate in the screening of candidates for Mayor of Surakarta through the Gerindra Party's DPC in Surakarta City, Central Java on Thursday (9/5/2024).

Therefore, Ardianto has established communication with several other parties. These parties include PSI, PAN, Golkar, and PKB. The most intense communication was carried out with PSI. He believes that a coalition with PSI is sufficient to nominate their own candidate.

"With the PSI, it's already a deal. I always talk to Mas Antonius Yoga (Chairman of the Central Java PSI Regional Leadership Council), and we hope to be able to form a strong coalition. The bigger the coalition, the greater the potential for votes," said Ardianto.