The increase in the number of deputies, approved by the National Congress in June, does not correct the sub-representation of historically impaired states. The evaluation was made by the Public Leadership Center (PLC) in a technical note that analyzed the complementary bill (PLP 177/2023).
The proposal raises the current number of federal deputies from 513 to 531. Despite the numerical increase, the PLC notes that one of the consequences will be to intensify the representative imbalance.
Super-presented states, such as Roraima, continue with eight deputies, representing about 1.5% of the chamber, although they concentrate only 0.3% of the Brazilian population.
On the other hand, São Paulo, which houses 22% of the national population, remains less than 14% of chairs.
States such as Pará and Ceará, which should have benefited from more significant increases, received insufficient additions to properly correct this imbalance.
Another concern is about the budget impact. A Senate Amendment determined that elevation does not generate costs to the public power.
Nevertheless, the PLC notes that even limiting cabinet funds, parliamentary quotas and other direct benefits to deputies may not be sufficient. Academic studies indicate the general public spending.
“Empirical studies on this relationship highlight that the increase in the number of legislators often leads to higher public spending and taxes. This is mainly due to the incentive to party fragmentation: larger assemblies tend to attract more competitive parties, encouraging the emergence of small parties and expanding parliamentary fragmentation,” says the center.
“As a consequence, greater fragmentation can intensify negotiations and demands for specific policies, leading to an general increase in public expenses.”
Fragmentation
Another consequence observed by the organization. According to the technical note, this dynamic tends to attract more competitive parties, stimulating the emergence of small parties. Highly fragmented systems, such as those in Brazil and Germany, experience greater complexities in negotiations and consequent fiscal expansion.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) has until July 16 to veto or sanction the text. However, according to the chief minister of the Civil House,
“I would say that it is unlikely that he sanction. […] This is a reflection that the president has to do, given his responsibility. The president is affected by responsibility for the country. For sure he will make the reflections of each of the options, this is a choice that only fits him, ”Costa said in an interview with TV Cultura’s“ Roda Vida ”program.
