After two years marked by Covid-19 and floods, Timor-Leste is now gearing up for presidential elections on 19 March. A runoff round for the top two candidates will be held on 19 April if no candidate receives a majority.
Presidential candidates run formally as independents, but commonly receive the backing of political parties. The candidates backed by the two largest parties are now clear. Former President Jose Ramos-Horta confirmed on Sunday he will run again in 2022, receiving the powerful backing of Xanana Gusmão’s CNRT. This came a week after the incumbent President, Fretilin’s Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres, declared his candidacy. Complicating matters, however, the current head of the defence force, General Lere Anan Timur, is also seeking Fretilin’s support.
