DILI, 15 September 2025 (TATOLI) — The National Parliament (PN) officially opened its third legislative session today, with leaders urging national unity, economic development, and social justice.
The opening ceremony featured speeches from President José Ramos-Horta, House Speaker Maria Fernanda Lay, and representatives from the country’s major political parties. They highlighted past achievements, ongoing challenges, and future priorities.
In her address, House Speaker Maria Fernanda Lay emphasized that this new session coincides with significant political, social, and environmental challenges. She noted that the country’s recent accession to the World Trade Organization and its upcoming full integration into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will increase the parliament’s workload.
“We need to adapt our internal legal framework. This reform is a historic opportunity to modernize our legal system, raise our standards, and ensure greater transparency in all our institutions.”
Lay called on lawmakers to prioritize social justice, climate change, and the protection of vulnerable citizens. She stressed the importance of passing quality legislation that has a real impact on people’s lives.
Duarte Nunes, head of the CNRT parliamentary bench, highlighted the country’s political stability and the importance of international cooperation with the European Union, ASEAN, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and the United Nations. He also called for diversifying the economy to reduce its dependence on oil.
Nunes proposed investing in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and small and medium-sized enterprises. He also underscored the need for quality education, universal health care, and an independent justice system.
“The future demands more of a sense of mission, strategic vision, and unity from us,” Nunes said, appealing to all government bodies to maintain stability and work toward transparent and inclusive governance.
Mariano Xavier Malik, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party (PD), acknowledged the government’s positive results but also pointed to challenges. He cited the need for political ethics and accountability, the impact of global economic volatility, and the sustainability of the country’s petroleum fund. He advocated for political dialogue and economic diversification to solve these structural issues.
FRETILIN party representative David Dias Ximenes ‘Mandati’ affirmed his party’s role as a “voice of resistance against injustice and corruption.” He said the party would continue to advocate for policies to combat poverty and unemployment while promoting responsible management of natural resources.
“Being the opposition is not being an enemy, but a critical partner to ensure the government fulfills its duties,” he said, calling for national unity and the defense of sovereignty.
Additionally, António Verdial of the KHUNTO party drew attention to persistent problems in health, education, and sanitation. He highlighted the lack of doctors, medicine, and adequate infrastructure, as well as the inequalities between urban and rural areas.
Finally, PLP party lawmaker Angelina Sarmento reflected on the country’s 23 years of independence and emphasized the parliament’s role in upholding constitutional order and strengthening democratic rule of law.
The legislative session will continue with debates on the 2026 state budget, international treaty ratifications, and legal reforms related to regional integration.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
