| Parliament name |
National Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
22 July 2017 |
| Purpose of elections |
The Revolutionary Front for an independent East Timor (FRETILIN), led by President Francisco "Lu Olo" Guterres, won one more seat than the National Congress for the Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT), led by former President and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão. In addition to the Democratic Party, led by Mr. Mariano Sabino, two new parties entered the new parliament: the People's Liberation Party (PLP), led by the immediate ex-president José Maria de Vasconcelos (better known as Taur Matan Ruak), and the Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan (KHUNTO). KHUNTO, led by Mr. Jose dos Santos "Naimori" Bucar, reportedly garnered support from young voters.
The country's economy relies heavily on oil and gas revenue. During the election campaign, the major parties focused on the diversification of the economy amid fears that money could run out within 10 to 15 years otherwise. The PLP promised a sustainable rural-based economy. Other electoral issues included education, job creation and anti-corruption measures.
The FRETILIN and the CNRT had been in a de facto power-sharing agreement since 2015 when the then Prime Minister Gusmão (CNRT) appointed Mr. Rui Araujo (FRETILIN) as his successor. Mr. Gusmão announced his resignation as CNRT President following the 2017 elections (a decision later suspended by CNRT) and declared that the party would go into opposition.
After lengthy negotiations, on 15 September, the FRETILIN formed a minority coalition government with the PD. Mr. Mari Alkatiri (FRETILIN), the country's first prime minister after independence from Indonesia in 2002, became the Prime Minister again. |
Date of previous elections: 7 July 2012
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 5 September 2017
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections: July 2022
Number of seats at stake: 65 (full renewal)
Number of candidates: Not available.
Percentage of women candidates: Not available.
Number of parties contesting the election: 21
Number of parties winning seats: 5
Alternation of power: Yes
Number of parties in government: 2
Names of parties in government: Revolutionary Front for an independent East Timor (FRETILIN), Democratic Party (PD)
Date of the first session of the new parliament: 5 September 2017
Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Aniceto Longuinhos Guterres Lopes (FRETILIN) |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 22 July 2017 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
760'907
583'956 (76.74%)
|
|
Notes
|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Total
|
|
|
|
|
| Revolutionary Front for an independent East Timor (FRETILIN) |
23
|
|
|
|
|
| National Congress for the Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT) |
22
|
|
|
|
|
| People's Liberation Party (PLP) |
8
|
|
|
|
|
| Democratic Party (PD) |
7
|
|
|
|
|
| Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan (KHUNTO) |
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
44
21
32.31%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
|
|
| Comments |
Sources:
National Parliament (08.08.2017)
http://www.cne.tl/apuramento/public.php |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Last elections module
