BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR — The Bali chapter of the Democratic Party is stepping up its political consolidation ahead of the party’s 25th anniversary on September 9, 2026, with social and community-oriented programs aimed at strengthening its connection with the public.

The programs include tree-planting activities and assistance for communities affected by disasters. Bali Democratic Party chairman, I Made Mudarta said the party’s grassroots actions had contributed to what he described as growing public trust in the party.

“I see that public trust and affection for the Democratic Party continue to rise because of the concrete actions carried out by the party,” Mudarta said.

He cited the party’s response to the recent earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) as an example. According to Mudarta, Democratic Party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) immediately instructed party members to help communities affected by the disaster, including efforts to address road access disrupted by landslides.

“The Democratic Party responded quickly with concrete action,” he said.

Mudarta also identified millennials and Generation Z as a key force in the upcoming political contest. He estimated that young voters could account for around 60 percent of the electorate.

For this reason, Bali Democrats will focus on young voters as part of their strategy to improve the party’s electoral strength. Mudarta claimed that the party currently ranks second in terms of public trust, while its electability is estimated to be around third or fourth place.

“We emphasize that since around 60 percent of voters will come from millennials and Gen Z, I am confident that the majority of these voters will vote for the Democratic Party,” he said.

Mudarta said young voters have wider access to information and are therefore more capable of making rational political choices. He also argued that young voters could influence the political preferences of their parents and older family members.

For the next election, Bali Democrats are targeting a return to the top three in terms of parliamentary seats in Bali. The target is based on the party’s previous performance, when it ranked second and third in the province.

“The Bali Democratic Party has ranked second and third before. In Bali, our target is to be in the top three. Being in the top three would already be significant,” Mudarta said.

Meanwhile, Mudarta said party members in Bali had expressed their aspiration for AHY to enter the race for president in the upcoming presidential election.

He argued that changes to presidential candidacy rules and the simultaneous implementation of presidential and legislative elections should provide an opportunity for political party leaders to run for president.

“That is the aspiration of our cadres. But we will have to see the political landscape and the level of public trust,” he said.

Mudarta said having more presidential candidates would give voters a wider range of choices based on their own preferences.

Regarding AHY’s prospects, he said the Bali Democratic Party would continue to monitor public opinion polls and changes in public trust. He acknowledged that the political landscape could shift in response to national developments.

“Surveys reflect a picture of what the public wants. The trend will certainly change,” he said.

Mudarta also expressed optimism that AHY could eventually become president after President Prabowo Subianto. He attributed the prediction to views expressed by some of the party’s spiritual supporters.

“Based on predictions from our spiritual supporters, the Democratic Party chairman will become the ninth president, after the eighth president, Prabowo,” Mudarta said.

Through continued social programs, organizational consolidation and engagement with young voters, Bali Democrats hope the party’s 25th anniversary will serve as a momentum to strengthen public confidence and prepare for the next political contest.