SAME (TOP) – Prior to entering the presidential election campaign, the CNRT party led by Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão had decided to nominate 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate José Manuel Ramos-Horta.
The results of the presidential election in the first round showed Horta got more votes but did not reach the standard of 51%, then going into the second round he still won unanimously, defeating the candidate from the FRETILIN party Francisco Guterres Lú Olo.
The agreement between the CNRT party and José Manuel Ramos-Horta on 23 January that if Horta wins the presidential election, he must dissolve the National Parliament to form a new government because according to CNRT the government led by prime minister Taur Matan Ruak has been illegal.
Thanksgiving event and consolidation of the CNRT party in Remexio-Aileu, Saturday 25 June 2022. Photo TOP/Raimundos Oki
Horta also later in his political campaign throughout Timor-Leste he appealed to his voters that he also agreed with the CNRT request or agreement, but after winning the election there was a change in political strategy, namely CNRT party president Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão did not agree to dissolve it for one of the reasons accessed by Oekusipost.com is to avoid the international community's view of Timor-Leste which is always full of political instability, and also one more reason is that the time is very short for the dissolution of parliament.
“We all have to know that it is true that the presidential candidate from the CNRT party is José Manuel Ramos-Horta, but we all have to be aware that since 20 May until now Horta is the President of the Republic for everyone. The interests of the state to CNRT are of paramount importance. Putting the interests of the state is more important than our own interests. As a political party, we think that it is necessary to properly consolidate within the party because we know that in order to dissolve the national parliament or not we must give time to the president of the republic to carry out his duties freely,” CNRT party secretary-general Francisco Kalbuadi Lay told reporters during a thanksgiving ceremony and the consolidation of the CNRT party in Same-Manufahi last weekend.
CNRT Party Secretary General Francisco Kalbuadi Lay poses with his party structure in Same-Manufahi, Sunday 26 June 2022. Photo TOP/Raimundos Oki.
“I want to appeal to all CNRT militants and sympathizers in all corners of the country that the dissolution of the national parliament is not a unique solution. Our problems in this country are many. So, let's give the President of the Republic time to carry out good consolidation so that he can improve our country," Kalbuadi said.
