Dilma Ditches Assembly in Favor of Popular Referendum

06/26/2013 - 09h31

President Dilma Rousseff has backtracked from a proposal of political reform by means of a constituent assembly. Instead, she began negotiations on Tuesday with representatives from both Congress and the Judiciary regarding the terms of a referendum. The aim of the talks is to establish what citizens would like to change in the Brazilian political system.

Rousseff abandoned the idea of a constituent assembly less than 24 hours after having advocated it in a meeting with state governors and city mayors. The legislators had been summoned to discuss measures aimed at assuaging the popular dissatisfaction which has become so manifest during recent weeks.

However, the proposal was dropped in the face of opposition from the PMDB, the largest party in the National Congress and Rousseff's main political ally. Rousseff also became aware that such a measure would have been subject to legal problems.

The government has promised to discuss the referendum with both its allies and the opposition. Joaquim Barbosa, the President of the Supreme Court, met with Rousseff to defend the inclusion of 'a dash of popular will' in the political decision making process.

On Tuesday The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate voted upon several issues of relevance to the recent protests. These included the PEC 37, a controversial proposal to amend the constitution in order to limit the power of the Public Ministry. It has become a cause célèbre amongst the protestors, who have been campaigning for its retraction.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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