Joko Widodo on Jusuf Kalla

Joko Widodo publicly aligned with Jusuf Kalla by selecting him as his vice-presidential running mate for the 2014 presidential election. This pairing was formalized when the pair registered with the General Elections Commission after Widodo’s party secured enough parliamentary seats to field a candidate. The selection of Kalla, a former vice president and prominent businessman with national stature, provided the ticket with a significant electoral advantage, particularly in areas like South Sulawesi, where Kalla's networks delivered a substantial vote sweep for the ticket in 2014.

Following the successful campaign, the two leaders were inaugurated in October 2014, with Kalla serving as Vice President during Widodo's first term. The effectiveness of this political partnership is further suggested by Kalla's subsequent involvement in high-level government discussions, such as a meeting regarding global escalations in March 2026. However, analysis of the 2019 election indicated that the political value of Kalla's support, especially in his home province, diminished compared to the previous election.