Jokowi, who held the post of mayor of Surakarta and the governor of Jakarta receives widespread national and international media attention due to his unique background and style.

[2] His unique leadership style, including blusukan (spending time in impoverished areas to informally chat with the people), proved very popular among Indonesians.

Joko Widodo and Jusuf Kalla joined the cultural parade started from Hotel Indonesia roundabout to the Istana Merdeka, carried by a chariot.

[7] In the Istana, outgoing President Yudhoyono and his cabinet ceremonially handed over the presidential palace with a military procession.

[8] Local guests attended the ceremony including the former presidents of Indonesia, B. J. Habibie and Megawati Sukarnoputri, and former First Lady Sinta Nuriyah.