President of the Republic announces acceptance of the resignation of Prime Minister

President of the Republic announces acceptance of the resignation of Prime Minister

Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Díli, February 9, 2015

President of the Republic announces acceptance of the resignation of Prime Minister

 The Government confirms that the President of the Republic, H.E. Taur Matan Ruak has officially accepted the resignation of Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.

A Press Statement issued by the Office of the President today said:

“After the meeting of the Council of State, H.E. President of Republic Taur Matan Ruak informed that he accepted the request for resignation of Prime Minister, presented to him on 5 February. The resignation of Prime Minister has as the consequence of the resignation of the Government, in accordance with the Constitution.

H. E. President of Republic will now start the process of the constitution of new Government, by also listening to the political parties having seats at the Parliament. It is expected that the constitution of the new Government will be concluded at the end of this week.”

Current office holders remain in position until the Swearing In Ceremony for the new Government and Prime Minister takes place. As noted in the Statement the President’s consultations are ongoing.

Over the weekend Prime Minister Gusmão said that people should continue to remain calm, going about their lives as normal. He reassured that it was his intention to “continue to participate” within the new Government Structure.

The Official Spokesperson of the Fifth Constitutional Government, Minister of State Agio Pereira noted that “this is a milestone transition for Timor-Leste, which we all knew was going to come ‘one day’. Today is that day. We are now focused on respecting the transition initiated by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão; celebrating his leadership and preparing for a new Government with energy and dignity, ensuring stability in the governance of our country.”