Senate and House Leaders to Fast Track Legislation After Anti-Government Protests

03/25/2015 - 08h48

Exploiting President Rousseff's low popularity, the leadership in Congress has decided to create an "urgent plan", with projects to be analysed in both Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, in response to the recent anti-government protests.

President of the Senate Renan Calheiros (PMDB-AL) and president of the Chamber of Deputies Eduardo Cunha (PMDB-RJ) will include a project for political reform as well as other measures addressing public finances and safety.

Calheiros said that the intention is that the measures are approved quickly in both houses without the interference of the government.

"Congress is independent," he said. "The independence of Congress should be emphasized, at a moment when society wants it to be even more so. It is harmonious, but above all, increasingly independent."

Two congressional representatives and two senators will be chosen to work on the "urgent plan" announced by Calheiros and Cunha.

They will have to draw up a list of proposals for political reform, given that there is currently no consensus amongst parties and politicians on key issues such as campaign financing and the system through which representatives are elected.

"We are going to choose measures that improve the environment of Brazilian politics in the day-to-day, and we're going to vote on them in the urgent plan," Calheiros said.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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	Sergio Lima - 24.mar.2015/Folhapress
	President of the Chamber of Deputies Eduardo Cunha (L) talks with President of Brazilian Senate Renan Calheiros