Formed on 22 June 2018, and restructured in mid-2020, it was led by the country's seventh Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, and was replaced by the IX Constitutional Government on 1 July 2023.

Initially, the VIII Constitutional Government was drawn from and supported by a coalition known as the Alliance for Change and Progress (AMP), which was made up of the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), the People's Liberation Party (PLP) and Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan (KHUNTO).

[1] The Ministers, Deputy Ministers[note 1] and Secretaries of State appointed to form the government as from 22 June 2018 until the government was restructured in mid-2020 were:[2][3] Following a breakdown of the AMP coalition during the first few months of 2020, the government was restructured on 12 May 2020,[4][5] new officials were appointed on 29 May[7][8] and 24 June 2020.

[10] He added that the Government intended: "... with this reshaping, to pave the way for political stability that allows the contribution and involvement of all Timorese, regardless of the ideology they have, the party of which they are members or the aspirations they have towards the country.

"[10]He also said that: "...the construction of the future of our nation does not dispense with the contribution of any Timorese and it is with awareness of this fact that the Eight Constitutional Government opens itself to the participation of new political forces in an effort of concertation and dialogue that is fundamental to ensure that Timor-Leste and the Timorese can aspire to a more prosperous and happy future.