Indonesia vice president resigns amid dispute over eligibility

Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of former President Joko Widodo, left office after serving two years of his five-year term. The resignation comes as questions grew over his eligibility following recent court rulings that disputed his educational credentials.

Court Rulings Trigger Crisis

The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court ruled last month that documents submitted by Gibran regarding his overseas education did not meet election requirements. His critics have accused him of never receiving a high school diploma.

Parliamentary Process

A petition submitted by 120 lawmakers from eight political parties began a parliamentary process that could have led to Gibran's impeachment. Under Indonesian law, House leaders must establish a special committee to examine whether Gibran violated the constitution by serving as vice president despite allegedly failing to meet election requirements.

Under Indonesia's Constitution, a vice presidential vacancy does not trigger a new election. The office remains vacant until the People's Consultative Assembly elects a replacement from two candidates nominated by the president within 60 days.

Government Under Pressure

Gibran's downfall comes as thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest economic hardship, corruption, perceived authoritarianism and the government's handling of devastating wildfires. The academic credentials investigation was apparently not related to separate allegations of police wiretapping targeting the president.