Two gubernatorial candidate pairs will compete for the Governor and Deputy Governor positions in Central Java in the simultaneous 2018 Regional Head Elections. The two pairs are Ganjar Pranowo-Taj Yasin, supported by the PDI-P, PPP, Democrat, and Nasdem parties, and former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said-Ida Fauziyah, supported by Gerindra, PKS, PKB, and PAN.
A significant challenge awaits the future Governor and Deputy Governor who will lead this province with its capital in Semarang. One of the main tasks for the upcoming gubernatorial term is poverty eradication. Central Java's poverty rate remains above the national poverty rate, which stood at 10.64% in March 2017.
According to Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data, Central Java's poverty rate in March 2017 was 13.04%. Fifteen out of 35 regencies/cities in Central Java have poverty rates higher than the provincial average. Furthermore, 26 regencies/cities still have poverty rates above the national average. Wonosobo has the highest poverty rate at 20.32%, followed by Kebumen (19.6%) and Brebes (19.14%).
(Read Databoks: Central Java, the Safest Province from Criminal Acts)
(Read Databoks: Where are Ganjar Pranowo's Strongholds?)