The Lost Boy

Censure debate concludes

Well it's the next day and I've been in the districts for most of it. I was in parliament last night for the vote. It was about 10 pm and everyone looked to have had a long day. The censure motion was rejected. Thirty-nine voted against it and 25 voted for it, with one lawmaker not present.

After the vote, there was a lot of shouting, laughing, jeering and a few rounds of applause. It was like being in a playground. Fernanda Borges looked furious. The Fretilin lawmakers seemed less put out. I get the impression they account for every eventuality and have some kind of masterplan. Perhaps.

After the session ended, Xanana walked around giggling for a bit and then went home.

9 pm and Xanana is speaking. I'm hoping this is live because I need to stay online in the office while it's happening.

OK screw it. I'm going to back to parliament.

Almost 8 pm and the lawmakers are really going for it now. Lots of back and forth and everyone is getting involved. ABC has picked up the story. It's rowdy in there. I don't know if anyone really expects this censure motion to be passed, but stranger things have happened. DPA is also covering.

Updated: AP on the censure debate
AFP on the censure debate

The public/press area of parliament in Dili was full to the brim today. The censure debate got underway this morning and there were some heated exchanges between the government and the opposition.

Xanana has been busy defending himself, but the opposition is really laying into him. It's live on the radio and television here in Timor-Leste. I was there this morning but am now confined to the office. Will update this post as info comes through.

AP reports:

If half the members present in the 65-seat body support the motion, the government will be dissolved and new elections ordered within three months in what could spark new instability.

This I'm unsure about. As far as I know, if the motion is passed, it means the president has the authority to dissolve the government. It doesn't mean it happens automatically.

Xanana this morning said it was a "political decision for our good relationship with Indonesia" that Bere was released. We knew this already. The justice minister said the same thing a month ago.

It looks like it will be a close call whether the motion is passed. The debate is slated to go on until about 10 pm, but I don't know if it will last that long. We'll see.

Xanana is accepting responsibility for Bere's release. We knew this also. The fact is, regardless of whose interests he acted in, the prime minister broke the law. Clearly something isn't right because Bere is still in Dili. We always hear about how Xanana is a war hero, but perhaps it's time for some fresh, young blood in the country's leadership.

Fresh blood all around would be nice. We have a justice minister accused of every sin under the sun, a finance minister who gives jobs to her pals, a president who threatens to quit when he doesn't get his way and… so on and so forth.

Where's the new generation?

Photo: mine.

Addendum:

This should clear up any confusion.

All from the Constitution of Timor-Leste:

Vote of no confidence

The National Parliament may, following proposal by one-quarter of the Members in full exercise of their functions, pass a vote of no confidence on the Government with respect to the implementation of its programme or any relevant matter of national interest.

So…

The dismissal of the Government shall occur when…

A vote of no confidence is passed by an absolute majority of the Members in full exercise of their functions;

But…

The President of the Republic shall only dismiss the Prime Minister in accordance with the cases provided for in the previous item and when it is deemed necessary to ensure the regular functioning of the democratic institutions, after consultation with the Council of State.