Apart from slowing down the formation of Timor-Leste’s eighth government, the internal rift in the three-party coalition also undermines its campaign rhetoric to be a party of swift service delivery.

Xanana Gusmao, AMP’s President, has not agreed with government choices put forward by the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), KHUNTO and People’s Liberation Party, a source close to KHUNTO told the Independente on Friday.

The source said if Gusmao continued to not back the proposed government structure KHUNTO was prepared to “quit” the coalition.

While Gusmao supports PLP’s President Taur Matan Ruak to become Timor-Leste’s next Prime Minister, the party’s 12-person proposed government structure has not been approved.

In response Gusmao has called for members within the coalition ranks to “stay strong” and work collectively.

KHUNTO’s ten-person government structure includes; Armanda Berta, António Verdial, José Agostinho, João Zacarias, Nicolau Freitas Belo, Joaquim Gusmão, José Turquel, Julião da Silva, Alexandre de Araújo, and Mário Ximenes.

Senior positions from the CNRT party will include Deonisio Babo as Foreign Minister, Sergio Lobo, Minister of Health, Tomas Cabral Minister of Administration and Territorial, Inacio Leite will serve as minister of Electricity and Francisco Kalbuady Lay will become Minister of Tourism, the source said.

Out-going Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said the new government must consolidate its government structure, with the approval of country’s 2018 state budget and program needing immediate priority.