Khunto’s President, Amanda dos Santos, wrote to Gusmão announcing the party’s withdrawal. The letter notes a lack of a clear pathway to form government as a reason for the departure.

Gusmão’s coalition was launched in February, labelling itself at the time as the “alternative” government.

However, it has failed to earn the approval of President of the Republic Francisco Lu-Olo Guterres to take over as government, and Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak has since taken back his resignation to focus on handling the coronavirus pandemic. 

The alliance - which has no official name – included the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction as majority, and minority parties’ United Party for Development and Democracy (PUDD), Timorese Democratic Party, Frente Mudanca, Democratic Party and KHUNTO. 

The departure of Khunto takes away its 34 seat majority - in the 65-seat parliament.

The withdrawal comes 48 hours after the ruling coalition split on a parliamentary vote to extend the COVID-19 state of emergency, with KHUNTO and Gusmão’s CNRT voting on separate sides.