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East Timor's Fretilin Party claims election 'victory'

Author
AAP,
Publish Date
Sun, 23 Jul 2017, 9:19PM
Mr Mari Alkatiri (L) campaigned for Fretalin by handing out flowers to voters as a sign of goodwill and peace, ahead of the election. (Getty)
Mr Mari Alkatiri (L) campaigned for Fretalin by handing out flowers to voters as a sign of goodwill and peace, ahead of the election. (Getty)

East Timor's Fretilin Party claims election 'victory'

Author
AAP,
Publish Date
Sun, 23 Jul 2017, 9:19PM

East Timor's two largest parties have claimed the majority of seats in parliament once again, while a rise in opposition forces reveals growing dissatisfaction in a country facing an uncertain economic future.

Former prime minister Mari Alkatiri, the current secretary-general of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN), described his party's win of about 30 per cent of the vote as a "a victory for all people".

"Now we will look forward to guaranteed stability, ongoing development and to bring people out of poverty," Mr Alkatiri told reporters this afternoon after 92 per cent of the vote had been counted.

The party has come out ahead of East Timor's other major political force - the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), - headed by former president and independence leader Xanana Gusmao, which picked up about 28 per cent of the vote, according to official numbers.

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