In March 2007 he said that he would lead the new National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) into the parliamentary election planned to be held later in the year, and said that he would be willing to become prime minister if his party won the election.
En marzo de 2007, dixo que lideraría o novo Congreso Nacional para a Reconstrución Timorense (CNRT) nas eleccións parlamentarias previstas para o ano seguinte e dixo que estaría disposto a ser primeiro ministro se o seu partido gañase as eleccións.