Fretilin

It didn’t succumb to violence, nor did the minority Fretilin-PD government cling onto power unconstitutionally.

Led by Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, Fretilin was the political wing of Timor-Leste’s independence movement.

When Gusmão decided to step down in 2015 after eight years in office, the CNRT again formed a broader coalition with Fretilin.

By late 1975 the Fretilin faction had gained control of Portuguese Timor and Gusmão was released from prison.

Elections were held in late 2001 and Gusmão, endorsed by nine parties but not by Fretilin, ran as an independent and was comfortably elected leader.

Indonesia alleged that Fretilin was communist, and feared that an independent East Timor would influence separatism in the archipelago.

Senior members of the Fretilin party met on 25 June to discuss Alkatiri's future as the Prime Minister, amidst a protest involving thousands of people calling for Alkatiri to resign instead of Gusmão.