The Alliance of Change for Progress (AMP) coalition government’s cabinet has been without nine members since the President of the Republic Taur Matan Ruak rejected a dozen nominations because of allegations of corruption against them in June 2018.

At the time, three other proposed ministers refused to be sworn in as a show of solidarity for their colleagues, leaving Timor-Leste without ministers of finance, health and natural resources, among others.

The top concern for opposition party leaders remains who in government will take responsibility for executing the $1.48 billion 2019 General State Budget (OGE) recently promulgated on 11 February.

Mariano Asanami Sabino Lopes, President of the Democratic Party, said: "If these nine ministries do not exist, then who will make the decision to execute the OGE?”

Miranda Branco from the Fretilin party, told the Independente the cabinet standstill was a reflection of the government’s “competence.”

During his swearing-in ceremony Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak promised to “dedicate all my energies and knowledge to the defense and consolidation of independence and national unity. ”