Indonesia's Vice President Gibran Resigns Over His Diploma Dispute and Prabowo Accepts It

The pressure then moved into the House. Al Jazeera said 120 lawmakers from eight parties petitioned House leaders on Wednesday to begin impeachment proceedings, and that Gibran had first offered to resign on Tuesday, though it was unclear whether Prabowo accepted at that point. Some reports place the handover on Wednesday evening; the Antara account places it on Thursday morning, and the date of the handover differs between outlets.

What did Prabowo and Widodo say?

Prabowo called the decision chivalrous and statesmanlike and said Gibran had performed his duties well, noting visits to 35 of 38 provinces and 149 districts and cities and inspections at 303 project sites, per Antara. Al Jazeera quoted him as accepting the resignation with a heavy heart. Widodo said political posts are temporary and pledged continued support for Prabowo's government.

The resignation came as thousands protested over economic hardship, corruption and the government's handling of wildfire haze, according to Al Jazeera. It also follows the departure from the Indonesian Solidarity Party of two deputy ministers and the resignation of its secretary-general, which the Jakarta Post described as an effort to distance themselves from Gibran.

Who becomes Indonesia's next vice president?

Nobody, for now. Al Jazeera said the vacancy does not trigger a new election: the People's Consultative Assembly must elect a replacement within 60 days from two candidates nominated by the president. Prabowo met leaders of the assembly and the House on Thursday afternoon, Antara reported, a few hours after receiving the letter. The names he puts forward, and whether the impeachment process is dropped now that Gibran has gone, will show how much room the president has left to rebuild his coalition.