Xanana Gusmao. Photo by Andrew McWilliam.
In the lead up to East Timor's parliamentary elections it's a case of long live the resistance, with some candidates getting up to old party tricks, writes ANDREW McWILLIAM. New democracies tend to attract large numbers of political candidates seeking to tap into voter enthusiasm and the spoils of office. The current round of parliamentary elections in East Timor is no exception. The 7 July poll has attracted 21 political parties, all vying for their share of the 70 seat assembly. Familiar historical names such as Fretilin, UDT, KOTA and ASDT are pitted against a brace of new aspirants to office; a Republican Party, Christian Democrats, Liberal democrats, Socialists, Social Democrats, the Popular Development Party and something called the Association of Timorese Popular Monarchy. In reality however, there are only a few parties that really matter and in this election, as in 2007, the result will likely turn on the relative numbers secured by three parties in particular. The present ruling party of CNRT led by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão is one such grouping along with its coalition partner, the Democratic Party (PD) of Fernando Lassama de Araujo.
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