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Timor-Leste

Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Civil lawUnitary semi-presidential republicReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Dili
Population
1,360,000
Languages
Tetum, Portuguese
Currency
USD

Timor-Leste · Constitution

Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Adopted by the Constituent Assembly and in force from the restoration of independence on 20 May 2002, modelled closely on the Portuguese Constitution of 1976. It establishes a semi-presidential republic with a directly elected President holding veto and dissolution powers, guarantees an extensive catalogue of rights in Part II, and in Article 2 recognises customary norms so far as they do not conflict with the Constitution or legislation.

The constitutional text

Adopted by the Constituent Assembly and in force from the restoration of independence on 20 May 2002, modelled closely on the Portuguese Constitution of 1976. It establishes a semi-presidential republic with a directly elected President holding veto and dissolution powers, guarantees an extensive catalogue of rights in Part II, and in Article 2 recognises customary norms so far as they do not conflict with the Constitution or legislation.

Separation of powers

Unitary, with 13 municipalities plus the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno, an exclave with its own administrative and fiscal regime under a 2014 law. A long-promised decentralisation to elected municipal assemblies remains only partly implemented.

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