DILI (TOP) - President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta said, there is a possibility will run once again in the presidential election, but will first consult with the President of the CNRT Party current Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
During this time there have been many speculations that the possibility of President Ramos-Horta will run again for the presidential election next year, but President Horta has given clarification to the public that, when accepted by the leader of the party winning the 2023 election he will run.
"I have not made a decision. And a decision on whether to run or not will come after a long conversation with Prime Minister Xanana," Ramos-Horta said when he returned to Dili after a working visit to Indonesia, Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
The 1996 Nobel Peace Laureate also suggested that, if Charismatic Leader Xanana Gusmão supports someone to run for President of the Republic in 2027-2032 must be loyal to the Government led by PM Xanana, not overthrow the Government.
Although there are many speculations, but President Horta has not yet made an official announcement about his candidacy for the presidential election.
"There is no decision, if we do something we will consult with Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão," President Horta said.
President Horta also urged a candidate who may win the presidential election tomorrow to work together with the government, not to overthrow the government as happened twice in 2012-2017 and 2017-2022 big problem.
Historically, in 2017 the CNRT party gave full support to the candidate President of the Republic Francisco Guterres Lú Olo from the opposition party FRETILIN. After winning the election, he returned to block the government that had gained the popular trust of the people.
“If there is a candidate who works well with brother Xanana, I agree and am ready to resign immediately, my concern is this,” President Horta explained.
Some agree that a figure like Ramos-Horta is still needed to maintain diplomatic relations abroad given the current volatile global situation.
Others, however, have criticized him for running for UN Secretary-General, arguing that he would be better off traveling the world, as during his tenure as President of the Republic, he has spent more time traveling abroad than visiting communities in remote areas where access to various aspects of life is still difficult.
President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão are the key leaders of Timor-Leste as of 2026, working together to guide national development and foreign policy. As of early 2026, they frequently meet to align the government’s strategic agenda, ensure national stability, and strengthen international relations, including the country's integration into ASEAN.
The President regularly receives Prime Minister Gusmão at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace to discuss high-level government coordination and 2026 strategic priorities.
In international diplomacy, they have fostered key bilateral relationships, such as hosting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to strengthen ties. Both leaders also attended the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia in October 2025 to officially represent Timor-Leste.
Both men are veterans of the East Timorese independence struggle, with Ramos-Horta being a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Gusmão a former resistance leader, now steering the country together.
