Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 39, and son of former President Joko Widodo, submitted his resignation to the leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly in Jakarta. He did not comment as he left the meeting. The resignation followed court rulings that questioned the validity of his overseas academic credentials, which were required to meet Indonesia’s election eligibility criteria.

President Prabowo Subianto accepted Raka’s resignation in a televised statement, praising him for showing “courage, responsibility and statesmanship” by stepping down. “He chose to resign for the greater interest of the nation, the state and the Indonesian people,” Prabowo said. He added that Raka had been a “great help” during the campaign and in government, and he expressed support for Raka’s future endeavors.

The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled last month that the documents Raka submitted regarding his overseas education did not meet election requirements. A subsequent petition by 120 lawmakers from eight political parties initiated a parliamentary process that could have led to Raka’s impeachment.

Under the Indonesian Constitution, a vice presidential vacancy does not trigger a new election. The People’s Consultative Assembly will now elect a replacement from two candidates nominated by the president within 60 days. Speaker Ahmad Muzani said parliamentary leaders were due to convene immediately to begin the process.

Before being chosen as Prabowo’s running mate in the 2024 election, Raka did not meet the age requirement of 40 for vice presidential candidates. A contentious Constitutional Court ruling in October 2023 allowed those who had served or been elected as regional leaders to run at a younger age, which critics argue created a conflict of interest and enabled dynastic privilege.

Political analysts suggest that Raka’s resignation signals a fracture in the alliance between Prabowo and Joko Widodo. Yoes C. Kenawas, a political analyst at the Indonesian Survey Institute, said that with Raka’s departure, Prabowo is attempting to demonstrate that he has stepped out from Jokowi’s shadow. Titi Anggraini, a lecturer of constitutional law at the University of Indonesia, noted that Raka was seen as a “vote-getter” rather than an integral part of the leadership team.

Joko Widodo said from his hometown in Solo that he had reminded his son that political positions are temporary and that they would continue to support Prabowo’s government. He emphasized their commitment to programs that serve the broader public interest.

The academic credentials investigation was apparently not related to a separate inquiry into allegations that top police officials had been involved in wiretapping targeting President Prabowo.