The budget has had majority support in parliament. Over recent days the President of National Parliament, Arao De Jesus, said if no new proposals were advanced in Thursday’s vote the budget could be put to a verbal vote where a two thirds majority approval is required to pass the budget. 

Under Timor-Leste law, demands to re-appreciate the budget do not require two-thirds majority backing but need a second vetoe from the President of the Republic, extending approval timeframe by another 30 days.

On 23 January, President Francisco “Lo Olo” Guterres vetoed the government’s 2019 budget but criticised it for devoting too much to buying foreign oil assets and too little to agriculture, heath, education and other public services.

In a statement, he called for revisions of the budget, warning that the proposed large drawings from the nation’s petroleum fund to develop Greater Sunrise oil and gas field could drag the nation further into deficit and eat into its oil riches fund forecast to be depleted in a decade.

The 2019 budget allocated about 30 percent to oil and gas development.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday about the consequences of delays to budget approval, Noe said: "If members of the Parliament only make a voice confirmation, we are very appreciative.”

Francisco Vasconcelos, the Deputy Chairman of People’s Liberation Party (PLP), responding in parliament, said his party was “open” to a verbal vote.

The opposition Fretilin party has been critical of the budget’s low expenditure on agriculture, education and health.

Aniceto Guterres, the Chairman of opposition Fretilin party, has questioned in parliament how the government intends to improve people’s lives with low funding for their basic needs.

All together the sectors receive just one eighth of state expenditures.