Prime Minister of Timor-Leste facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of theDemocratic Republic of Timor-Leste |
|
---|---|
![]() Coat of arms of Timor-Leste
|
|
Style | His Excellency |
Seat | Dili |
Appointer | President of Timor-Leste |
Term length | Five years |
Constituting instrument | Constitution of Timor-Leste |
Formation | 28 November 1975 20 May 2002 |
First holder | Nicolau dos Reis Lobato Mari Alkatiri |
Salary | 27,000 USD annually |
The prime minister of Timor-Leste is the head of government for the country of Timor-Leste. This means they are in charge of running the government's day-to-day activities. The official title is Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
While the prime minister is the head of government, the president of Timor-Leste is the head of state. The president's role is more ceremonial, while the prime minister holds more power over how the country is run.
After an election for the National Parliament, the president chooses the prime minister. This is usually the leader of the political party or group of parties (called a coalition) that won the most votes. The prime minister leads the government's main group of advisors, known as the cabinet.
The current prime minister is Xanana Gusmão, who took office on July 1, 2023.
Contents
List of Prime Ministers of Timor-Leste
Here is a list of all the people who have served as the prime minister of Timor-Leste.
- Political Parties
Fretilin National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) People's Liberation Party (PLP)
- Other Groups
Independent (not part of a political party)
Leaders During the War for Independence (1975–1979)
These leaders served during the time Timor-Leste was fighting for its freedom.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Election | Term of Office | Political Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took Office | Left Office | Time in Office | |||||
1 | ![]() |
Nicolau dos Reis Lobato (1946–1978) |
— | 28 November 1975 | 7 December 1975 | 9 days | Fretilin |
2 | António Duarte Carvarino | October 1977 | February 1979 | 1 year, 4 months | Fretilin |
Chief Ministers Under United Nations Rule (2001–2002)
Before Timor-Leste became fully independent, the United Nations helped run the country. During this time, the leader was called a chief minister.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Election | Term of Office | Political Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took Office | Left Office | Time in Office | |||||
– | ![]() |
Mari Alkatiri (born 1949) |
2001 | 20 September 2001 | 20 May 2002 | 212 days | Fretilin |
Prime Ministers Since Independence (2002–Present)
After Timor-Leste officially became an independent country on May 20, 2002, its leaders were called prime ministers.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Election | Term of Office | Political Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took Office | Left Office | Time in Office | |||||
3 | ![]() |
Mari Alkatiri (born 1949) |
2001 | 20 May 2002 | 26 June 2006 | 4 years, 37 days | Fretilin |
4 | ![]() |
José Ramos-Horta (born 1949) |
— | 26 June 2006 | 19 May 2007 | 327 days | Independent |
5 | ![]() |
Estanislau da Silva (born 1952) |
19 May 2007 | 8 August 2007 | 81 days | Fretilin | |
6 | ![]() |
Xanana Gusmão (born 1946) |
2007 2012 |
8 August 2007 | 16 February 2015 | 7 years, 192 days | CNRT |
7 | ![]() |
Rui Maria de Araújo (born 1964) |
— | 16 February 2015 | 15 September 2017 | 2 years, 211 days | Fretilin |
8 | ![]() |
Mari Alkatiri (born 1949) |
2017 | 15 September 2017 | 22 June 2018 | 280 days | Fretilin |
9 | ![]() |
Taur Matan Ruak (born 1956) |
2018 | 22 June 2018 | 1 July 2023 | 5 years, 9 days | PLP |
10 | ![]() |
Xanana Gusmão (born 1946) |
2023 | 1 July 2023 | Incumbent | 2 years, 25 days | CNRT |
Timeline of Prime Ministers
This timeline shows how long each prime minister served and which political party they belonged to.

Deputy Prime Ministers
The deputy prime minister is an important official who helps the prime minister. According to the Constitution of Timor-Leste, they are officially called "Deputy Ministers." They assist with leading the government and can step in for the prime minister if needed.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Election | Term of Office | Political Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took Office | Left Office | Time in Office | |||||
1 | ![]() |
Armanda Berta dos Santos (born 1974) |
— | 29 May 2020 | 1 July 2023 | 3 years, 33 days | KHUNTO |
2 | ![]() |
José Maria dos Reis (born 1956) |
24 June 2020 | 1 July 2023 | 3 years, 7 days | Fretilin | |
3 | ![]() |
Francisco Kalbuadi Lay (born 1954) |
2023 | 1 July 2023 | Incumbent | 2 years, 25 days | CNRT |
4 | ![]() |
Mariano Assanami Lopes (born 1975) |
1 July 2023 | Incumbent | 2 years, 25 days | PD |
See also
In Spanish: Primer ministro de Timor Oriental para niños
- Politics of Timor-Leste
- History of Timor-Leste
- President of Timor-Leste
External Links
- Office of the Prime Minister (Archived page from 2004)