Political Parties
The two top parties are the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction, or CNRT, and the Fretilin.
In 1974 the creation of political parties was first allowed in East Timor, following the Carnation Revolution in Portugal. The Constitution is ambiguous on both the role of political parties and the definition of "local government." For instance, Article 7, "Universal Suffrage and Multi-Party System," notes that "the state shall value the contributions of political parties for the organized expression of the popular will and for the democratic participation of the citizen in the governance of the country." Article 46, "Right to Political Participation," notes that "every citizen has the right to establish and to participate in political parties;" and "the establishment and organization of political parties shall be regulated by law." Article 72, "Local Government," states that "local government is constituted by corporate bodies vested with representative organs, with the objective of organizing the participation by citizens in solving the problems of their own community and promoting local development without prejudice to the participation by the State;" and "the organization, competence, functioning, and composition of the organs of local government shall be defined by law."
The National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) held its first national congress 28-30 April 2007. There were a total of 800 delegates with the right to vote, 734 from the districts and 66 national delegates. Elections were conducted by secret ballot, with the votes counted in the presence of all delegates. Two lists competed for the vote, both with President Xanana Gusmao at the top as party president, but with separate sets of names for the remaining leadership positions. However, the second list was regarded as mostly symbolic as the overwhelming number of votes went to "List A". The party delegates from the districts comprised primarily former representatives of the first CNRT (National Congress for Timorese Resistance), the non-partisan umbrella organization of the resistance led by Gusmao until its dissolution in 2001. There were also a large number of youth, most of whom appeared to have no previous party affiliation.
An important decision made by the congress delegates was that CNRT would run alone in the parliamentary elections, putting the nail in the coffin of any coalition discussions. This decision was supported by delegates from 11 of the 13 districts. In the weeks previous to the congress, discussions had taken place concerning potential coalition combinations among CNRT, PD, PSD and ASDT. In the end, only ASDT and PSD signed an agreement to run together. They had hoped to have CNRT on board, but ultimately moved ahead with their own coalition agreement before the CNRT decision in light of the May 1 deadline for registering coalitions. CNRT's relationships with other opposition parties had been strained from the beginning, as key opposition leaders have resented Gusmao's decision to form his own party rather than throw his support behind theirs. Nonetheless, the other opposition parties have begun to deal with CNRT as a reality and possible ally rather than an idea to which they object.
By 2008 the Alliance for a Parliamentary Majority (AMP) coalition party membership included National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), Social Democratic Party (PSD - president Mario Carrascalao), National Unity Party (PUN - president Fernanda Borges, Democratic Party (PD) caucus chair Adriano Nascimento), and Timorese Social Democratic Association (ASDT - caucus chair Domingos da Costa). FRETILIN maintained the role of de-facto opposition in spite of their public stance that the current government is illegal and unconstitutional, and PUN is led by one of Parliament's most reliable and thoughtful members.
All major political parties in the National Parliament were united in predicting the AMP government will remain in power through the next scheduled elections of 2012. Moreover, they expressed confidence that the violence and social breakdown experienced during the 2006 crisis will not be repeated because the state was prepared to prevent such a scenario.
The Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration of the Government of Timor-Leste effectively organized two rounds of the presidential election on 17 March and 16 April and the parliamentary election on 7 July, with the National Electoral Commission supervising the electoral process. They were characterized by high voter participation of 73 to 78 per cent, a calm security environment, and acceptance of results by all candidates, political parties and the general population.
As a result of the elections, the former Commander of the Timorese armed forces (Falintil-Forças Armadas de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL)), Taur Matan Ruak, who ran as an independent, was sworn in as the new President on 20 May, and the new Parliament was inaugurated on 30 July. Four parties won seats in the 65-member Parliament: Congresso Nacional de Reconstrução de Timor-Leste (CNRT), 30 seats; Frente Revolucionária do Timor-Leste Independente (Fretilin), 25 seats; Partido Democrático (PD), 8 seats; and Frenti-Mudança (FM), 2 seats. Quotas established in electoral legislation resulted in women assuming 38 per cent of the seats (25), the highest in the Asia-Pacific region.
With no party winning an absolute majority, CNRT, PD and FM entered into a coalition to form the new Government. On 8 August, the members of the new Government were sworn in by President Taur Matan Ruak, including CNRT President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão as Prime Minister, 16 Ministers (two women), 12 Vice-Ministers and 26 Secretaries of State. Fretilin became the opposition party and has not challenged the legitimacy of the new Government, in contrast with the situation in 2007; it continues to actively participate in and contribute to parliamentary debates.
Main parties in the electoral race:
- Party: Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor / Frente Revolucionária de Timor-Leste Independente (FReTiLIn)
- Leader: Francisco "Lu Olo" GUTERRES
- Seats won in 2007 election: 21
- Party: National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction / Conselho Nacional de Reconstrução de Timor (CNRT)
- Leader: Xanana GUSMAO
- Seats won in 2007 election: 18
- Party: Timorese Social Democratic Association / Associação Social-Democrata Timorense (ASDT)
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 0
- Party: Socialist Party of Timor / Partido Socialista de Timor (PST)
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 0
- Party: Democratic Party / Partido Democrático (PD)
- Leader: Fernando de ARAJUO
- Seats won in 2007 election: 8
- Party: Front for National Reconstruction of Timor-Leste - Change / Frente de Reconstrução Nacional de Timor-Leste - Mudança
- Leader: José Luís GUTERRES
- Seats won in 2007 election: N/A
- Party: Party of National Unity for the Children of Timor / Kmanek Habduras Unidade Nasional Timor Oan
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: N/A
- Party: Social Democratic Party
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 0
- Party: National Development Party
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: N/A
- Party: National Unity of Timorese Resistence / União Nacional Democrática de Resistência Timorense (UNDERTIM)
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 2
- Party: Timorese Democratic Union
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 0
- Party: Republican Party
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 0
- Coalition: PLPA/PDRT / Partido Liberta Povo Aileba/Partido Democratika Republica de Timor
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 0
- Party: Timorese Popular Monarchist Association / Associação Popular Monarquia Timorense (APMT)
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: N/A
- Party: National Unity Party / Partido Unidade Nacional
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 3
- Coalition: Proclaimer Bloc / Coligação Bloco Proclamador Comprises the Millennium Democratic Party and PARENTIL.
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 0
- Coalition: Democratic Alliance - Comprises the Association of Timorese Heroes and Labor Party of East Timor.
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 2
- Party: Timorese Democratic Party
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 0
- Party: Liberal Democratic Party
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: N/A
- Party: People's Development Party
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: N/A
- Party: Christian Democratic Party
- Leader: N/A
- Seats won in 2007 election: 0
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