East Timor independence hero Gusmao’s party wins parliamentary election

East Timor independence hero Xanana Gusmao. AP 

DILI, East Timor – East Timor independence hero Xanana Gusmao’s party won a parliamentary election but is short of an outright majority, official results showed Tuesday.

The opposition National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) led with 41.6 percent of the votes, while its main rival and incumbent coalition leader Fretilin got 25.7 percent, according to the electoral commission’s tally of all voting stations.

The result of Sunday’s election paves the way for a return to power of the 76-year-old Gusmao, their first president, if he can form a coalition.

If there is no outright winner, the constitution gives the party with the most votes the opportunity to form a coalition.

“I am happy because the CNRT won the 2023 election and I really appreciate the awareness of the community, especially young people who have contributed to peace and stability,” Gusmao told journalists.

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East Timor heads to the polls in parliamentary election

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