Executive power is exercised by the government.
Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Parliament.
The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
The East Timorese constitution was modelled on that of Portugal. The country is still in the process of building its administration and governmental institutions.
Executive branch
The Head of state of the East Timorese republic is the president, who is elected by popular vote for a five-year term and whose role is largely symbolic, though he is able to veto some legislation.
Following elections, the president appoints as the prime minister, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition. As head of government the prime minister presides over the Council of State or cabinet.
Legislative branch
The unicameral Timorese National Parliament (Parlamento Nacional) has 65 members elected by proportional representation (d'Hondt method) for a five-year term.
The number of seats can vary from a minimum of 52 to a maximum of 65, though it exceptionally had 88 members during its first term which also exceptionally lasted six years – from 2001 to 2007 – this was because the constitution provided that the 88-member Constitutional Assembly would become the first parliament after the constitution entered into force in 2002.
The East Timorese constitution was modelled on that of Portugal. The country is still in the process of building its administration and governmental institutions.
Judicial branch
The Supreme Court of Justice has one judge appointed by the National Parliament and the rest appointed by the Superior Council for the Judiciary.