Timor-Leste in 2018: Political instability and economic decline

Abstract

Timor-Leste entered 2018 with a political crisis that kept a minority government without the confidence of parliament. President Lu-Olo tried to resolve the situation by calling early elections, but the incumbency effect did not materialize, and the opposition won the polls. Timor-Leste celebrated an important treaty with Australia on their maritime borders in the Timor Sea.