The Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, said on Wednesday (9) that it does not represent a definitive solution to combat crime, but rather an initial step in restructuring the system and strengthening the joint action of security forces.
“PEC is not the solution. It is the beginning of the solution, a combination of efforts. It is an attempt to organize the game so that we can then start a new match,” the minister said during a hearing at the Senate Public Security Commission.
The statement occurs one day after the official delivery of the text to the President of the House of Representatives, Hugo Motta (Republicans-PB), and to party leaders. The proposal must be filed next week and will begin its processing by the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ), currently chaired by Deputy Paulo Azi (Union-BA).
Integration and Limits of the Union
According to Lewandowski, the proposal aims to strengthen the Unified Public Security System (SUSP), instituted by ordinary law in 2018, and provides for greater integration between the Union, states and municipalities in combating organized crime.
In response to criticism that the PEC would represent an attempt to centralize by the federal government, the minister reiterated that there will be no interference in the competences of the state police. He pointed out that the guidelines will be established by the National Council for Public Security and Social Defense, which will be representing the Union, States and Civil Society.
“The project took all the care not to interfere with the civil or military police. The goal is to ensure general guidelines and foster federative cooperation,” he said.
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Budget restrictions
The minister also warned about the limitations of financing from the security policy. According to him, the R $ 500 million cut in the 2025 budget, approved by Congress, directly affected the two funds that will finance the actions provided for in PEC: the National Public Security Fund and the National Penitentiary Fund.
“We were imposed on a spending ceiling and we lost half a billion reais. Before the vote, I called the colonel [relator do Orçamento] Asking it to reconsider, but unfortunately there was no reversal, ”he lamented.
Lewandowski asked the senators to submit amendments to reinforce federal and road police resources and indicated that the government could seek budget supplements to enable the proposed actions.
After being approved by the CCJ, to which it will analyze its merit and may present amendments. The text will still need to be approved in two shifts in the House Plenary before going to the Senate.
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Government allies see the proposal as part of a broader strategy to face organized crime, including the promise of presenting a national public security plan with specific goals for the fight against drug trafficking, militias and arms trafficking.
