PAN to coalesce with Democratic Party

The National Mandate Party (PAN) said it would coalesce with the Democratic Party in the upcoming July 8 presidential election, PAN Advisory Council (MPP) Chairman Amien Rais said.

Amien Rais said that the PAN plan to coalesce with the Democratic Party was made during a meeting between members of the MPP, PAN executive board (DPP) and its regional branches (DPW) throughout Indonesia at his house here on Sunday.

He said that the meeting accepted by acclamation advice made by the MPP chairman and decided to carry out three important points in it.

"During the meeting, the forum also raised the idea that PAN should nominate its vice presidential candidate (to pair up with Democratic Party presidential hopeful Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono)," he said.

He said that the PAN plan to nominate its cadre as a vice presidential candidate would be communicated directly with Democratic Party Advisory Council chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Rais said that the decision taken during the meeting which proceeded smoothly was an important decision.

He said out of 33 DPWs throughout Indonesia, 27 sent representatives to the meeting.
Two DPWs, namely those in West Sumatra and East Java, were absent and had asked permission not to attend, while others could not be contacted, he said.