Timor-Leste · Government
Government and administration in Timor-Leste
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Head of state — President of the Republic
- Directly elected for five years; may veto legislation and dissolve Parliament.
- Executive — Government led by the Prime Minister
- Drawn from the parliamentary majority; issues decree-laws.
- Legislative — National Parliament
- Unicameral, 65 members elected by proportional representation.
- Judicial — Superior Council for the Judiciary
- Appoints and disciplines judges.
- Prosecution — Office of the Prosecutor-General
- Constitutionally autonomous public prosecution service.
How legislation is made
Bills pass the National Parliament in general and detailed debate and go to the President, who within a fixed period must promulgate, veto with reasons, or refer the text to the Court of Appeal for a constitutionality ruling. Parliament may override a political veto by an absolute majority, but a finding of unconstitutionality is binding. The Government also legislates by decree-law within limits set by enabling statutes.
Enforcement institutions
- Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste
- National civilian police; took full responsibility from UN policing in 2011.
- Office of the Prosecutor-General
- Directs criminal investigation; constitutionally independent.
- Anti-Corruption Commission
- Investigates corruption and refers cases for prosecution.
- Provedor for Human Rights and Justice
- Ombudsman with human rights and maladministration mandate.
- Ministry of Justice land directorate
- Land registration and the disputed-claims process under the 2017 land laws.
Government bodies and regulators
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