The Fretilin-led coalition government was set to open its proposed new budget for 2017 for debate in parliament this week, however the Parliamentary Majority Alliance (AMP) said it would reject any dollar change.

Having continually vetoed the government’s policy the AMP has said that after the fall of the Government, the President of the Republic must offer the opposition parties the chance to form a governing coalition.  

The AMP is made up of members from the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), People’s Liberation Party (PLP), and KHUNTO, whom collectively hold a majority in parliament.

Fidelis Magalhães, the President of PLP, said proposed budgetary change was not needed, saying “one year’s budget was still enough” to meet State program needs.

Francisco Miranda Branco, the President of Fretilin, said the new government needed to urgently adjust the 2017 budget to respond to State needs.

Branco said sustained blocking of policy and funds by the AMP were impacting health service delivery and would soon start having an affect on salaries of State employees.

He said 20 critically ill patients were unable to be evacuated out of the Timor-Leste due to the prolonged budget block.