<![CDATA[The vice regional head plays a vital yet often overlooked role in Indonesia’s subnational governance structure. This article investigates the administrative and institutional impacts of prolonged vacancies in the vice head of region position, using Jakarta Province (2018 -2020) as a primary case study. During this 18-month vacancy, the absence of formal delegation and lack of legal enforcement mechanisms led to operational disruptions, weakened oversight, and delays in public service coordination. Through a qualitative policy analysis approach, the study draws from in-depth interviews, official documents, and comparative literature. Findings reveal that leadership gaps in local governments create institutional ambiguity, slow decision-making, and erode accountability mechanisms. These issues are compounded by the lack of legal instruments mandating interim delegation or establishing clear timelines for deputy replacement. The Jakarta case is reflective of broader trends across other Indonesian provinces, indicating a systemic vulnerability in leadership succession protocols. This article recommends realistic policy interventions, including formal delegation procedures, improved legal clarity, and stronger oversight roles for local legislatures. By institutionalizing these reforms, local governments can ensure administrative continuity, particularly during periods of political transition or emergency. The study contributes to filling the research gap on subnational leadership structures and highlights the urgency of addressing executive leadership vacuums in decentralized governance contexts.]]>
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