Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will nominate two candidates for vice president to the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) following his upcoming state visits to the Philippines and China. The vacancy follows the November 12, 2026, resignation of Gibran Rakabuming Raka, with the MPR scheduled to elect a replacement on December 2, 2026.
President Prabowo confirmed his timeline for the nomination while speaking at the 114th Muhammadiyah Tanwir Conference in Palu on Saturday, November 14. He is set to depart for the ASEAN Summit in Manila, scheduled for November 15–17, before traveling to Shenzhen, China, for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 18–19.
Following earlier reports, President Prabowo Subianto said that his international work travel would proceed after he took part in the Opening of the Tanwir and the 114th Muhammadiyah Milad in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Saturday. “From Manila, I will go to China, Shenzhen. From there, I will need to find a replacement for the Vice President,” Prabowo said in his speech.
The president has not yet announced specific names or criteria for the candidates. He said that he is still awaiting guidance in the selection process, stating, “I must receive a whisper from above, from the Almighty,” while addressing the attendees. “We want democracy, but not a democracy that can ultimately be bought, held hostage, or controlled by those with money obtained through unlawful means,” Prabowo said.
Constitutional Process for Replacement
Under Article 8(2) of the 1945 Constitution, the MPR must hold a plenary session to elect a new vice president within 60 days of the position becoming vacant. MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani confirmed on Friday, November 13, that the assembly has formally requested the submission of two names from the president.
“Our obligation as leaders is that today we will sign the letter to the president and today we will also send it to Mr. President,” Muzani told reporters.
According to the MPR, the president must propose two vice presidential candidates within 14 days after receiving such a request. According to Nasdem Secretary General Hermawi Taslim, Prabowo’s international tour would not interfere with the ongoing procedures within the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Law No. 17/2014, known as the MD3 Law, mandates that the president propose two candidates to the assembly. According to the legislation, these candidates must be drawn from the political party or coalition that originally nominated the president and vice president in the 2024 general election.
Did You Know? The Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM) that nominated the president and vice president in the 2024 election consists of nine parties: Gerindra, Golkar, PAN, the Democratic Party, PSI, Garuda, Gelora, PBB, and the Prima Party.
Prabowo meets coalition leaders to discuss the transition
Prabowo met with leaders of his ruling coalition at the Presidential Palace in Bogor on Friday evening to discuss the transition. Zulkifli Hasan, Chair of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said that the coalition members were given one week to hold internal discussions before the president returns from his overseas tour. “The National Mandate Party has no cadres running, none. It is entirely up to him,” Zulkifli said.
Regarding the government’s stability during the president’s upcoming foreign travel, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra confirmed that no temporary replacement or transfer of power to other ministers is required.
“It is not filled by anyone. Because if there is no vice president, the president is the president who runs the power himself,” Yusril said at the Presidential Palace Complex. He said that the head of state maintains his authority over the government while abroad.
By declining to nominate their own party cadres, coalition members appear to be prioritizing the preservation of the political alliance ahead of the December 2 parliamentary vote.
Resignation of Gibran Rakabuming Raka
The vice presidential office became vacant following the resignation of Gibran Rakabuming Raka on November 12. His departure followed legal proceedings in the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court, which ruled that his educational equivalency certificate was invalid and null and void.
Why the vice president position is vacant and when elections occur
Why is the vice president’s position currently vacant?
The position became vacant after Gibran Rakabuming Raka submitted his formal resignation to the MPR on November 12, 2026. This followed court rulings that determined his educational equivalency certificate was legally null and void.
When will the new vice president be elected?
The MPR has scheduled a plenary session to elect the new vice president for Wednesday, December 2, 2026. This session is required to take place within 60 days of the vacancy under the 1945 Constitution.
Can the government function while the president is traveling without a vice president?
Yes, according to Coordinating Yusril Ihza Mahendra retains full authority to lead the government from abroad. He said that the president can issue orders and instructions directly, and there is no legal requirement to appoint a temporary replacement or transfer duties to other ministers.
Worth a look