THE Brazilian political reform is a set of proposals aimed at improving the electoral system. The goal is to facilitate representation, combat clientelism and the practice of corruption.
Voting on the proposals is made by the National Congress, formed by the Senate and Chamber of Deputies. There are advocates of reform through the convening of a new National Constituent Assembly.
Until the first half of 2016, the changes took place through constitutional amendments.
Vote on the mini-reform in the Chamber of Deputies in 2015
Summary
The discussion about the need for reform is an old one. It started in the government of the former president Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Only in the second half of 2015, the Congress National voted for part of the political reform classified as mini electoral reform.
The changes were sanctioned by the former president Dilma Rousseff. Several points in the Brazilian representation process were changed. Among them are the elections, the rules of political parties and the electoral code.
Some rules took effect for the 2016 elections and others take effect in 2020. There are rules that are difficult for most voters to understand. Examples include the proportional system.
Proportional System
Today, organizing into coalitions by party legends allows the most voted candidate for legislative posts to "pull" others who have not received as many votes. These are called "candidates without a vote, but with office".
This situation is called "proportionality". That is why there are many candidates who do not receive a significant number of votes, but reach the legislative houses (municipal, state and federal chambers).
The more voted for the legislative candidate, the more coalition partners are "elected". In practice, Brazilians did not vote for all those who represent them.
This point of reform is the one facing the greatest resistance among politicians in legislative positions. Now, it is necessary to have at least 10% of the electoral quotient to be sworn in. This means that progress was made, but it was not considered ideal.
Proposals
Proposals included in the 2016 political reform:
- Campaign expenses: must always be smaller than the previous election
- female participation: parties will have to invest up to 15% of their party fund in the women's campaign
- Re-election: end of re-election for executive positions (president, governor and mayor) from the 2020 election
- Proportionality: reduced, but was not very different from the current model. You must have 10% of the votes for the position
- Time of political advertising on radio and TV: dropped from 45 to 35 days. Larger coalitions continue longer
- Party loyalty: deadline for disaffiliation before the elections passes to 6 months after affiliation
- debates: Candidates with more representatives in the Chamber can participate
- vote in transit: only for the office of the Presidency of the Republic
- optional vote: proposal rejected. Everyone between 18 and 70 years of age is required to vote under penalty of paying a fine if they do not appear.
- Printed vote: the voter may ask for their vote to be printed immediately after the act of voting
- Mandate: five years for all elected positions from the 2020 elections. Today, senators have a term of eight years and the remaining positions four
- Donations: individuals and companies can make cash donations to candidates. Donations by entrepreneurs can reach 2% of the company's gross revenue
Popular Pressure and the CNBB
Political reform is not yet complete and there are many proposals sent to the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. In addition to deputies and senators, the population can also present proposals for changes.
There are organizations that pressure the National Congress to carry out the reform and simplification of the Brazilian political process. Among them is the CNBB (National Confederation of Bishops of Brazil), which in 2015 collected 1.3 million signatures from supporters of the reform.
Proposals that were left out of the change and are still the target of popular pressure:
- Creation of new parties
- Maintenance of the exchange-change of parties
- optional vote
- End of proportionality and election by majority vote
Read more:
- Democracy in Brazil
- Forms of Government
- presidentialism
