Today, we talk about the future of the Brazilian Congress. And Venezuela’s move towards full dictatorship.
Supreme Court turns new leaf for Congress
Against expectations, the Supreme Court decided against allowing House Speaker Rodrigo Maia and Senate President Davi Alcolumbre to pursue another two-year term as the leaders of their respective congressional chambers. While the Constitution is clear in denying them that right, the duo expected justices to bend the rules in their favor — as they are perceived as necessary checks to President Jair Bolsonaro’s authoritarian tendencies.
What’s behind. Mr. Bolsonaro’s overt disregard for democratic institutions has given other political actors in Brazil something of carte blanche to bend the rules to their self-interest, providing the justification is to “counter Jair Bolsonaro.” In order to enhance their political influence, Messrs. Maia and Alcolumbre were ready to toss Congress’ rulebook aside.
- Most justices were ready to allow the pair to seek re-election, saying that a change in Congress’ rules is an internal issue that lawmakers could decide on their own. However, they changed their minds as public opinion increasingly went against the move.
Why it matters. The decision was a major win for President Jair Bolsonaro, who now has a...