Die Präsidentschaftswahlen in Osttimor

Abstract

On 9 May 2007 East Timor, or Timor-Leste, elected a new president. The winner is the Nobel Peace Prize laureate José Ramos-Horta. He defeated Francisco „Lu Olo“ Guterres of the ruling Fretelin party, with 69% of the votes as compared to his rival´s 31%. The new president inherits a country stricken by poverty and regional divisions which boiled over last year in deadly riots. The situation between Easterners and Westerners of Asia´s poorest nation remains tense until today, but did not erupt into violence again. Main issues of the campaign were development and security. The two-round election was described as free and fair by international observers. The loss of Fretelin is a clear indication that its dominant position in the political landscape is in dispute. Against this background the author examines the implications of the current elections on the wider Timorese political system.