President Prabowo Subianto must nominate two vice presidential candidates by late November 2026 to fill the vacancy left by Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who stepped down on Thursday after delivering his resignation letter to MPR leaders during a 20-minute meeting, according to official reports.
The Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (MPR) has scheduled a plenary session to select and inaugurate the new vice president on December 2, 2026, as reported by Media Center Riau.
The vacant RI-2 seat has sparked speculation about potential vice-presidential candidates to replace Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Constitutional law expert Jimly Asshiddiqie emphasized that the 1945 Constitution does not require that Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s replacement be from the political party supporting him.
Coalition Parties Discuss Succession Strategy
Ruling coalition leaders gathered on Sunday, November 15, 2026, to discuss the impending nomination process after President Prabowo Subianto summoned coalition party chairmen. Zulkifli Hasan, chairman of the Partai Amanat Nasional (PAN), said that coalition leaders agreed not to push forward their own party members for the role, leaving the selection entirely in the hands of the president, detikNews reported.
“I said earlier that we, PAN, are not (proposing a vice presidential candidate). Almost all party chairmen are not proposing their cadres. We agree with Gerindra.” said Zulkifli Hasan, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN).
President Prabowo gave coalition parties a one-week internal consultation window to review candidates before submitting a final list. According to Zulkifli Hasan, the coalition parties did not nominate their own candidates and left it entirely to President Prabowo Subianto to determine the choice before the names were submitted to the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).
“Nah, kemarin sudah dipanggil Bapak Presiden, kita sudah sepakat parpol-parpol dikasih waktu satu minggu untuk berunding internal, nanti kita akan mengajukan satu nama. Karena aturannya begitu, MD3-nya, ya,” Zulkifli Hasan, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), told detikNews.
“And leave it entirely to the President, whoever he is comfortable with, whoever he agrees with, yes, we leave it entirely to the President to decide who is comfortable with the cadres from Gerindra.” said Zulkifli Hasan, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN).
Cabinet Effectiveness Guides Presidential Selection
Gerindra spokesperson Sugiat Santoso emphasized that the primary criteria for the incoming vice president center on administrative capability and program execution. According to Kompas, the administration seeks a candidate who can directly assist with national governance and ensure cabinet stability.
“The primary consideration is the effectiveness of the cabinet’s work. Whichever two names President Prabowo proposes to the MPR will undoubtedly be chosen based on their track record of program execution and ability to directly assist the President in his state duties.” said Sugiat Santoso, spokesperson for the Gerindra Party, as reported by Kompas.
The MPR has established a 36-member verification committee to review the administrative credentials and constitutional requirements of both nominees submitted by the executive branch, operating alongside a 36-member ad hoc team led by three MPR vice chairmen to draft the presidential appointment decree.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Vice Presidential Succession
When will the MPR formally elect the new vice president?
The MPR was scheduled to hold a plenary session to choose and swear in the new vice president on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, following an agreement reached during a leadership meeting on November 13, 2026.
What constitutional timeline governs the replacement process?
While the constitution permits a 60-day window to fill a vice presidential vacancy, parliamentary leaders and President Prabowo agreed to expedite the procedure. The president holds a maximum 14-day window from receipt of the parliamentary notice to formally submit two candidates for review.
Must the replacement vice president belong to a ruling coalition party?
Constitutional law expert Jimly Asshiddiqie clarified that the 1945 Constitution does not legally mandate that a replacement vice president must originate from the governing political parties, despite provisions found within the broader framework of the MPR, DPR, DPD, and DPRD law (UU MD3).