President of East Timor

President of East Timor
Portuguese: Presidente da República
Tetum: Prezidente Republika
Coat of arms of East Timor
Incumbent
José Ramos-Horta

since 20 May 2022
StyleHis Excellency
ResidenceNicolau Lobato Presidential Palace
AppointerDirect election
Term lengthFive years
Renewable
Inaugural holderFrancisco Xavier do Amaral
Formation28 November 1975

The President of East Timor, officially the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste (Portuguese: Presidente da República Democrática de Timor-Leste, Tetum: Prezidente Republika Demokratika Timor-Leste), is the head of state in East Timor.

The president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. Their powers are somewhat limited, though they are able to veto legislation. Following elections, the president usually appoints as the prime minister, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition.

List of presidents of Timor-Leste

Political parties
  National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT)
  Democratic Party (PD)
Other factions
Symbols

† Assassinated

Presidents of East Timor during the War for Independence

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Elected Term of office Political party
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Francisco Xavier do Amaral
(1939–2012)
28 November 1975 7 December 1975 9 days Fretilin
2 Nicolau dos Reis Lobato
(1946–1978)
7 December 1975 31 December 1978†[a] 3 years, 24 days Fretilin

Presidents of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Elected Term of office Political party
Took office Left office Time in office
3 Xanana Gusmão
(born 1946)
2002 20 May 2002 20 May 2007 5 years Independent
4 José Ramos-Horta
(born 1949)[b]
2007 20 May 2007 20 May 2012 5 years Independent
Vicente Guterres
(born 1956)
Ad interim
[c]
11 February 2008 13 February 2008 2 days CNRT
Fernando de Araújo
(1962–2015)
Ad interim
[c]
13 February 2008 17 April 2008 64 days PD
5 Taur Matan Ruak
(born 1956)
2012 20 May 2012 20 May 2017 5 years Independent
6 Francisco Guterres
(born 1954)
2017 20 May 2017 20 May 2022 5 years Fretilin
7 José Ramos-Horta
(born 1949)
2022 20 May 2022 Incumbent 3 years, 124 days CNRT

Timeline

List of presidents of the National Parliament

# Portrait Name Took office End office Party Notes
1 Francisco Guterres 20 May 2002 31 July 2007 Fretilin [1]
2 Fernando de Araújo 8 August 2007 30 July 2012 Democratic Party [2]
3 Vicente Guterres 30 July 2012 2016 CNRT [2]
4 Adérito Hugo da Costa 2016 2017 CNRT [2]
5 Aniceto Guterres Lopes 5 September 2017 2018 Fretilin [2]
6 Arão Noé da Costa Amaral 5 April 2018 2020 CNRT [3]
(5) Aniceto Guterres Lopes 19 May 2020 22 June 2023 Fretilin [3]
7 Maria Fernanda Lay 22 June 2023 Incumbent CNRT

Notes

  1. Killed by the Indonesian special forces.
  2. Incapacitated from 11 February to 17 April 2008.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Served as President during the 2008 assassination attempts.

References

  1. "Parlamento Nacional de Timor-Leste | Biografia - FRANCISCO GUTERRES Lu Olo".
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Parlamento Nacional de Timor-Leste | Antigos Presidentes".
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Parlamento Nacional de Timor-Leste | Presidente - Biografia".