President Prabowo Accepts Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's Resignation

President Prabowo Subianto accepted the resignation of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka on November 12, following a resignation letter submitted the previous day. Gibran, the son of former President Joko Widodo, stepped down amid a pending impeachment motion from 120 lawmakers and a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a certificate establishing the equivalence of his overseas education. The court found that supporting documents failed to prove Gibran met the high school-equivalent education required to run in the 2024 election.

The resignation comes during a period of significant instability in Indonesia, characterized by a declining rupiah and widespread protests over civil liberties and economic conditions. In Jakarta, tens of thousands of troops have been deployed to maintain order, while violent clashes between police and protesters have occurred near the provincial legislature in Yogyakarta.

The vacancy triggers a constitutional process requiring the People’s Consultative Assembly to select a new vice president within 60 days from two candidates nominated by the president. This political shift threatens the alliance between Prabowo and Joko Widodo that was central to their 2024 election victory.