Brazil's House of Representatives passed a law on Wednesday (18) that allows political parties to use public funds to purchase liquid and property assets such as mansions, helicopters, planes, and luxury cars.
Today the law that manages the party fund - which is the primary source of public funding for parties, with a forecast of almost R$ 1 billion in 2019 - restricts the use of these funds to purchase such good.
In February, the Superior Electoral Court expressly prohibited parties from using the fund to acquire property to function as their headquarters.
The bill seeks to loosen rules of transparency, supervision, and punishment regarding the use of public funds by parties. It states the party fund may also be used for "purchase or lease of liquid and property assets, as well as in the building or construction of headquarters and the like, and in carrying out reforms and other adaptations in these goods. "
The bill, which has been eased after heavy pressure, is in the hands of President Jair Bolsonaro (PSL), who may sanction or veto it, in whole or in part.
For these rules to be valid for the next election, the sanction must take place by October 3, a year before the election.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon