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Gibran's exit as Indonesia's VP: A turning point in Prabowo and Jokowi's political relationship?

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The former vice-president tendered his resignation to the People’s Consultative Assembly after the Supreme Court voided his overseas high school equivalency certificate and 120 lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings. To fill the vacancy, President Prabowo must submit two nominees to parliament, which is mandated to hold a special vote within 60 days. Although Joko Widodo pledged continued backing for the administration from his hometown of Solo, the vacancy triggers intense coalition bargaining. Analysts indicate the shift allows Prabowo to consolidate power and potentially invite the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle into his government.

Key points

  • President Prabowo Subianto must nominate two candidates to parliament while navigating fr…: President Prabowo Subianto must nominate two candidates to parliament while navigating fresh bargaining among his coalition partners.
  • Former president Joko Widodo announced from Solo that he will continue supporting the cur…: Former president Joko Widodo announced from Solo that he will continue supporting the current administration's public interest programs.
  • The vacancy provides Prabowo an opportunity to bring former president Megawati Soekarnopu…: The vacancy provides Prabowo an opportunity to bring former president Megawati Soekarnoputri’s Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle into the governing coalition.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

analysis Asia

Gibran's exit as Indonesia's VP: A turning point in Prabowo and Jokowi's political relationship?

Analysts told CNA the resignation could let President Prabowo further consolidate his influence while complicating ex-leader Jokowi's efforts to preserve his family's political standing.

JAKARTA: Gibran Rakabuming Raka's resignation as Indonesia's vice-president on Thursday (Nov 12) has raised questions about his political future and what his departure means for the relationship between President Prabowo Subianto and his predecessor Joko Widodo.

Gibran, 39, stepped down amid mounting pressure over his educational qualifications after the Supreme Court annulled his overseas high school education equivalency certificate on Oct 30.

His departure comes amid signs of growing tensions between Prabowo and Jokowi, as the former president is popularly known, whose support was instrumental in securing the Prabowo-Gibran ticket's victory in the 2024 election.

Analysts say the resignation could let Prabowo further consolidate his influence while raising fresh questions about the political future of Jokowi and his family.

Sana Jaffrey, a political expert from the Australian National University, said there had long been indications that the political relationship between…

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