Brazilian senators want to change diplomatic nomination rules

Brazilian diplomacy is reputed for its high level of professionalism. The Rio Branco Institute, an advanced school for diplomats, has arguably the toughest entrance exam of the country’s entire public service — focused on setting a high standard for technical excellence. 

A group of senators, however, is surreptitiously trying to change the pathways to ambassadorship, allowing lawmakers to simply take leave from their posts in order to take control of an embassy — lifting the current requirement for them to resign from office. The Constitution bans lawmakers from leading permanent missions abroad, such as embassies, although they can take charge of temporary delegations for specific conferences.

The bill was presented by Senator Davi Alcolumbre, chairman of the Constitution and Justice Committee. His draft was immediately condemned by the Association of Brazilian Diplomats. 

“The idea violates the principle of separation of powers, as ambassadors represent the Executive Branch,” says Maria Celina de Azevedo Rodrigues, the association’s chairwoman and a retired ambassador who served as the Brazilian ambassador to Bogotá and consul-general in Paris.

She added: “Senators are elected to promote the interest of their states, but foreign policy is national....