Khunto member, Amanda Berta do Santos, was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister. Santos will complete the role in addition to her current job as Minister for Social Solidarity and Inclusion.

Fidelis Magalhães, of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), also a current member of government, was inaugurated as President of the Council of Ministers.

Democratic Party member, Júlio Metamalic,  was sworn in as Minister for National Liberation Combatants, or Veterans’ Affairs, and Pedro Reis as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Four Fretilin members filled the remaining positions

These included; Francisco Martins da Costa Perreira Jerónimo, as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Social Communication; Fernando Hanjam as Minister for Finance; Miguel Pereira de Carvalho as Minister of State Administration and Odete Maria Freitas Belo as Minister for Health.

The new cabinet follows a major change in party alliance within parliament, with the the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction opting to move to opposition on Monday.

The move paved the way for a new governing bloc of PLP, KHUNTO and Fretilin.

The cabinet restructure is not complete, with key ministers vacated by CNRT member – such as Minister for Foreign Affairs, formerly held by Dionísio Babo Soares -  yet to be filled.