Indonesia's president to face Megawati in elections

Last Updated: Sat, 16 May 2009 08:11:00 +1000

Indonesia's president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is set for a three-way race in elections in July after former president Megawati Sukarnoputri announced she would stand.

President Yudhoyono also faces a challenge from vice president Jusuf Kalla, who is expected to confirm his nomination on Saturday.

Earlier, president Yudhoyono confirmed his vice presidential running mate would be central bank governor Boediono.

President Yudhoyono's approval rating of 67 percent, against 12 percent for Mrs Megawati and 2 percent for Mr Kalla, makes it likely he will win a second term.

Analysts say the outcome of the presidential vote could affect the pace of Indonesian reforms that are critical for attracting foreign investment, creating jobs and driving economic growth which slowed in the first quarter of 2009 to its weakest in five years .