Mr Susilo lacks the strong political machine of Miss Megawati's PDI-P and of Golkar, Suharto's former party, which has backed Mr Wiranto.

ECONOMIST: Crooning to victory? | The

Appearing on US talk shows, Mr Sollecito revealed that he still shared "a really strong bond" with Miss Knox, whom he had visited in Seattle a few months after their release.

BBC: Profile: Raffaele Sollecito

He is intellectually curious, more comfortable in the spotlight than Miss Megawati, and widely viewed as a man of integrity who would be strong in times of crisis.

ECONOMIST: Yudhoyono’s moment | The