On CNN Interviews this week, political scientist and president of the Scientific Council of the Institute for Social, Political and Economic Research (Ipespe), Antonio Lavareda, pointed out one of the main factors of conflict in Brazilian politics: the disharmony between the Powers.
“The second article of the Brazilian Constitution speaks of the need for harmony between the Powers. Independence and harmony between Powers. Today, we do not, strictly speaking, have independence and, in fact, it is very difficult for anyone to recognize that there is harmony between the Powers of the Republic”, said Lavareda to CNN.
“We cannot continue in this pattern of cat-and-dog or cat-and-mouse fighting. Every month we have a new crisis between Powers.”
summarizes the intricacies of these conflicts by describing Congress’s attack on “the responsibilities of the Executive, of the Presidency. The government reacts, the Judiciary is urged to intervene.”
According to him, this movement slides into a “judicialization of politics”, followed by a “erosion of Brazilians’ level of satisfaction with our democracy”.
The political scientist points out the consequence of this imbroglio: the opening of a “considerable space for the arrival of political outsiders through electoral processes, with a lot of support from the population”.
“E outsiders who often carry with them populist political projects that, ultimately, threaten the very survival of our democracy.”
Antonio Lavareda renewed his contract with CNN Brazil this year and will be at the forefront of a new monthly program, in 2025, which will deepen the debate on national politics until the 2026 electoral race.
Amendments
Speaking to CNN Entrevistas, Lavareda also analyzed the
For the political scientist from Pernambuco, the amendments constituted a legitimate relationship between deputies, senators and municipalities. However, for him, this relationship is not normal.
“I can’t imagine that parliamentarians can back down, take steps back and give up on amendments. They formed a relationship with their municipalities, with their support base. I want to say this is legit, but it’s not normal. In classic Presidentialism, then, it is up to Brazilian politicians and Brazilian institutions to look in the mirror and say: ‘Look, we have to find a way, right?’ A concrete, adequate, non-conflicting form for this new set of procedures that have been adopted over time and where they are more or less consolidated”.
Regarding the printed vote, the political scientist said that the idea arises when the Chamber of Deputies is without direction.
“This is a minor issue, which comes back to the surface in moments of turbulence, when the Chamber seems to have no direction.”
He remembers that the current voting model is approved by voters.
“The overwhelming majority believes in the electoral process. The Electoral Court is one of the institutions that has the best evaluation among Brazilians. That [urna eletrônica] it’s not a problem. Modify this [com voto impresso] would not produce any qualitative change in Brazilian Democracy”.
