DILI, 28 february 2023 (TATOLI) – The parties of the current government coalition, the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN), the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), and Kmanek Haburas Unity Nasional Timor Oan (KHUNTO) committed to continue with the current government platform after the election.
The Secretary General of the Fretilin party, Mari Alkatiri reaffirmed FRETILIN’s position to maintain and continue with the political party platform signed by the three political parties.
“This political platform will continue from now and after the elections,” Alkatiri commented at the first PLP conference held in Dili.
Alkatiri said the platform is open for other political parties to join: “This platform will be a major inclusive platform after the elections. I believe that PLP President Taur Matan Ruak and KHUNTO’s top leader, Naimori Bukar would agree with me that we are open to welcoming other political parties to join this platform.”
The President of PLP and current Prime Minister Tuar Matan Ruak said the platform should continue: “When a major political party like FRETILIN has reaffirmed its position to continue with the platform, it means that we are the ones who will form the IX Constitutional Government.”
Echoing Alkatiri’s statement, Ruak emphasized that the platform must be open to other political parties.
Ruak praised the Democratic Party (DP) for always supporting the government’s plans and programs.
Meanwhile, MP Olinda Guterres, one of the founders of the KHUNTO Party said that KHUNTO’s commitment to continue the platform with FRETILIN and the PLP is unquestionable.
“There is no doubt that KHUNTO will continue with this political platform after the elections,” Olinda Guterres told reporters at the National Parliament.
Despite the commitment of the leaders of the three parties to continue with the platform, they have agreed to compete alone in the upcoming parliamentary elections without forming a pre-election coalition.
MP Maria Angelina Lopes Sarmento from PLP said that PLP has made its decision not to form a coalition with any other political parties before the parliamentary elections.
“PLP agrees to maintain the political platform agreement signed between the three parties.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
