The East Timor Parliament on Wednesday said it would rescind legislation granting former members of parliament lifetime pensions, according to local media. The announcement followed several days of student‑led demonstrations in the capital city of Dili.

Under a law that went into effect in 2007, former members of parliament are entitled to lifetime pensions equivalent to their parliamentary salary. While the government reportedly plans to reverse the policy, the country has not yet officially appealed the law. Constitutionally, the path to repeal is clear, but the process follows formalistic procedures. Under East Timor’s Constitution , a change to pensions requires statutory approval from parliament and signatory approval by the president. Under Article 73, this change is not off

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