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East Timor Lawmakers Scrap Lifetime Pensions Amid Student Protests

9/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

East Timor's parliament voted to eliminate lifetime pensions for lawmakers on September 17, 2025, in response to student protests.
Over 1,000 students demonstrated against pension plans and a US$4.2 million SUV purchase for MPs.
Protests intensified, resulting in clashes with police using tear gas.
Lawmakers abandoned plans to buy 65 SUVs after public outcry.
The parliament aims to repeal a 2006 law granting pensions equal to MPs' salaries.

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Story summary

East Timor's parliament voted to eliminate lifetime pensions for lawmakers on September 17, 2025, in response to student protests.
Over 1,000 students demonstrated against pension plans and a US$4.2 million SUV purchase for MPs.
Protests intensified, resulting in clashes with police using tear gas.
Lawmakers abandoned plans to buy 65 SUVs after public outcry.
The parliament aims to repeal a 2006 law granting pensions equal to MPs' salaries.