East Timor chooses president in runoff amid political feud

DILI, East Timor (AP) — Voters in East Timor have chosen a president in a runoff election between former independence fighters who’ve blamed each other for years of political paralysis. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta had a commanding lead in the election’s first round last month but not enough votes to avoid the runoff against incumbent President Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres. The winner takes office on May 20, the 20th anniversary of the restoration of East Timor’s independence. Guterres is supported by the parties currently leading parliament, but Ramos-Horta has said he may call an early parliamentary election. Many are concerned that move would inflame rather than calm tensions among the parties.