Addressing parliament on Wednesday, the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction leader questioned the use of inclusive government and parliamentary government by the new minority Fretilin Party and Democratic Party coalition.

“If the coalition were together to ensure a majority in national parliament and signed an agreement than there is no more parliamentary government,” Jesus said.

A parliamentary government exists when a party, or coalition of parties has majority representation in parliament, with its leader becoming Prime Minister.

Under an inclusive government the President, the Prime Minister and the cabinet share the executive power.

Led by Mari Alkatiri for the second time as Prime Minister, the new seventh government of Timor-Leste sworn in on 15 September is made up of the Fretilin party with 23 seats, and Democratic Party with seven seats in a 65-seat parliament.

The comments follow increasing threats of a walkout by the CNRT party over the legitimacy of Alkatiri, the leader of Fretilin party, appointment as Prime Minister.

According to Jesus his direct appointment was unconstitutional because the coalition government does not have majority rule.

Questioned if his Prime Minister position was in jeopardy, Alkatiri said he had “no comment,” but said Timor-Leste was a democratic country where people had the right to critique the country’s leaders.

In his maiden speech as Prime Minister, Alkatiri said his government would be characterized by political inclusion and dedicated to reducing uneven development between city and rural areas, and fighting against corruption.