National Parliament (East Timor)
National Parliament | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
President of the National Parliament | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 65 MPs |
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Political groups |
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Length of term | 5 years |
| Authority | Title III, Part III, Constitution of East Timor |
| Elections | |
| Party-list proportional representation | |
Last election | 7 July 2012 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Parliament of Timor-Leste in Dili on 21 June 2002. | |
| Website | |
| www | |
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| Constitution |
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The National Parliament (Template:Lang-tet, Template:Lang-pt) is the unicameral national legislature in East Timor. It was created in 2001 as the Constituent Assembly while the country was still under the supervision of the United Nations, but renamed itself to the National Parliament with the attaining of national independence on 20 May 2002.
The number of members of the parliament may range between 52 and 65; it started with 88 members, due to the Constituent Assembly's decision to reform as the National Parliament rather than holding new elections. All members serve five-year terms. Members are elected by a party-list system.[1] The parliament sits in the National Parliament Building in the capital, Dili, which was specially refurbished with AUD 1.8 million of Australian aid assistance in the leadup to independence.
As with many other nations, the party most able to gain a working majority in the parliament forms a government. The members of parliament subsequently elect the head of government, the Prime Minister, who is currently Rui Maria de Araújo. Legislation in some areas may be vetoed by the directly elected head of state, the President, though its role is limited by the constitution.
There is universal franchise for all citizens over the age of 17, although voting is not compulsory.
Presidents of the National Parliament of East Timor
- Francisco Guterres (20 May 2002 – 8 August 2007)
- Fernando de Araújo (8 August 2007 – 30 July 2012)
- Vicente da Silva Guterres (30 July 2012 – present)
Latest election
Members
- List of members of the parliament of East Timor, 2001–2007
- List of members of the parliament of East Timor, 2007–2012
- List of members of the parliament of East Timor, 2012–present
See also
References
- ^ Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
