Brasilinform Daily Briefing quality in information April 25, 2013, Vol. XXV. No. 5541
Committee Votes To Limit Powers of Supreme Court
The constitution and justice committee of the lower house of Congress on April 24 declared war on the autonomy of the Supreme Court with approval of a measure that would require congressional review and approval of court decisions. The measure brought back memories of the dictatorship of Getúlio Vargas who in the 1937 constitution gave himself the power to veto Supreme Court decisions. The proposed constitutional amendment approved by the committee, dominated by pro-government congressmen, would restrict the ability of the court to rule on the constitutionality of laws and amendments passed by Congress. In the case of a constitutional amendment declared unconstitutional, the court’s decision would have to be reviewed by Congress. If Congress rejected the court’s ruling, which would seem inevitable, the question would then be left for a public referendum to decide. The proposed legislation would prevent the court from suspending a constitutional amendment through the issue of an injunction. When the court rules that its decision stands as a binding precedent for lower courts, this must be approved by nine out of the 11 justices, not six as at present, according to the proposal. In addition, the ruling would have to be approved by Congress. The amendment would also require that four fifths of the members of any court approve the unconstitutionality of a law or decree for the decision to be valid. In defense of the amendment, its author, Congressman Nazareno Fonteles (PT-PI) said that the Supreme Court has interfered with the work of Congress by declaring laws unconstitutional. “The judiciary has a mountain of cases to rule on and they keep on interfering with Congress,” he said. Opposition congressmen charged Fonteles and the amendment’s backers with violating the separation of powers and threatening the autonomy of the Supreme Court. Justice Marco Aurélio Mello called the amendment a form of “retaliation” for the court’s conviction of several members of the ruling PT Party in the mensalão corruption trial. Two of the committee’s members were convicted by the court. Chamber president Henrique Eduardo Alves (PMDB-RN) said the house does not want conflicts with the judiciary and said he would discuss the question with “the judicial power.” Brasilinform Daily Briefing is a service of C.V. Brasil Comércio de Boletins Informativos Ltda. M.E., CNPJ 52.603.388/0001-19. For subscribers only. Reproduction and transmission in any form without prior consent of publisher prohibited. All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Director Edwin Taylor. Address Estrada da Gavea 611/Bl 2/1304, 22610-001 Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Telephone for subscription information: (21) 3322-5583. E-Mail: taylor@brasilinform.com.br Web Site: http://www.brasilnform.com
Brasilinform Daily Briefing
April 25, 2013