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Prime Minister of the
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Coat of arms of East Timor.svg
Coat of arms of Timor-Leste
PM Kishida meeting with PM Gusmão of Timor-Leste (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Xanana Gusmão

since 1 July 2023
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.

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 in Declaration of East Timor (1975).jpg Nicolau dos Reis Lobato
(1946–1978)
28 November 1975 7 December 1975 9 days Fretilin
2 António Duarte Carvarino [id] 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 Bin Amude Alkatiri 2002.jpg 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 Bin Amude Alkatiri 2002.jpg Mari Alkatiri
(born 1949)
2001 20 May 2002 26 June 2006 4 years, 37 days Fretilin
4 José Ramos-Horta Portrait.jpg José Ramos-Horta
(born 1949)
26 June 2006 19 May 2007 327 days Independent
5 Estanislau da Silva.jpg Estanislau da Silva
(born 1952)
19 May 2007 8 August 2007 81 days Fretilin
6 Prime Minister of Timor Leste Xanana Gusmão.jpg Xanana Gusmão
(born 1946)
2007
2012
8 August 2007 16 February 2015 7 years, 192 days CNRT
7 Prime Minister of Timor Leste, Rui Maria de Araújo.jpg Rui Maria de Araújo
(born 1964)
16 February 2015 15 September 2017 2 years, 211 days Fretilin
8 Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri (2nd Period).jpg Mari Alkatiri
(born 1949)
2017 15 September 2017 22 June 2018 280 days Fretilin
9 Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Taur Matan Ruak.jpg Taur Matan Ruak
(born 1956)
2018 22 June 2018 1 July 2023 5 years, 9 days PLP
10 PM Kishida meeting with PM Gusmão of Timor-Leste (cropped).jpg 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.

Xanana Gusmão Taur Matan Ruak Mari Alkatiri Rui Maria de Araújo Estanislau da Silva José Ramos-Horta António Duarte Carvarino Nicolau dos Reis Lobato

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 small 2020.jpg Armanda Berta dos Santos
(born 1974)
29 May 2020 1 July 2023 3 years, 33 days KHUNTO
2 José Reis small 2020.jpg José Maria dos Reis
(born 1956)
24 June 2020 1 July 2023 3 years, 7 days Fretilin
3 Francisco Kalbuadi Lay Tourismusminister 2015-08-03.jpg Francisco Kalbuadi Lay
(born 1954)
2023 1 July 2023 Incumbent 2 years, 25 days CNRT
4 2020-01-29 Mariano Asanami Sabino.jpg Mariano Assanami Lopes
(born 1975)
1 July 2023 Incumbent 2 years, 25 days PD

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Primer ministro de Timor Oriental para niños

External Links

  • Office of the Prime Minister (Archived page from 2004)
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