The price of a hijacked democracy.

Brazil is experiencing a dangerous distortion between the branches of government. The National Congress, which should limit itself to legislating on behalf of the collective good, has been encroaching on the Executive's responsibilities and consolidating itself as a parallel power—dominated by self-interest, backroom deals, and maneuvers that put the Federal Government in check. In practice, what we see is a Parliament that directly interferes in the conduct of public policies, imposing its own agenda and hindering strategic decisions, especially those aimed at the poorest citizens.

An example of this was the recent overturning of presidential vetoes that attempted to contain fiscal and social damage caused by legislative loopholes. Instead of supporting measures that sought to alleviate the burden of inequality—such as taxing the super-rich and exempting those earning up to 5 reais from income tax—Congress preferred to defend its own privileges. It ignored the popular will, disregarded tax justice, and demonstrated, once again, that the vision of the country that drives it is not that of the working majority, but that of the elites and their own electoral strongholds.

By interfering with the decree that increased the IOF tax on exclusive and offshore funds, the Legislative Branch not only weakened revenue collection but also directly attacked one of the few concrete initiatives for taxing the very wealthy. And it did so brazenly, revealing that there is no commitment to building a fairer system—only to the game of interests sustained by billion-dollar amendments, informal agreements, and institutional blackmail.

As if the strangulation of social agendas wasn't enough, deputies and senators continue to create irresponsible expenses, such as the approval of the creation of more seats in the Federal Chamber—a measure that will generate an annual expenditure of more than R$ 65 million in salaries and office expenses. They are increasing the size of the public machine without any commitment to efficiency or to returning benefits to society. When President Lula, correctly, threatened to veto this expansion, the parliamentarians themselves responded with political retaliation and new obstacles to governability.

Faced with so many attacks, the government was forced to resort to the Supreme Federal Court to try to guarantee its own ability to govern. This represents a complete inversion of democratic logic, as we see the Executive branch, elected with more than 60 million votes, having to seek protection against sabotage from Parliament. And what is most serious is that this destabilization does not stem from an opposition coherent with an alternative project for the country—it is largely carried out by the congressional base that claims to be an ally, but which acts as an operator of corporate interests, lobbies, and the maintenance of privileges.

It is urgent to put Congress back in its proper place. Legislating is not governing. Overseeing is not obstructing. The construction of public policies is the task of the Executive branch, and it is the role of the Legislative branch to improve them, not sabotage them. The country cannot continue to be held hostage by a branch of government elected by popular vote that, instead of representing those who elected it – the people – acts as a marketplace for deals. Brazil needs reforms – political, tax, social – and all of them depend on restoring the public spirit in Parliament.

If parliamentarians continue to operate as an autonomous power focused on their own interests, they will continue to be an obstacle to national development. What is at stake is popular sovereignty and the Federal Government's ability to respond to the urgent demands of the population. Lula was elected to govern, not to be held hostage by the authorization of deputies and senators who have turned politics into a bargaining chip. The country needs to move forward—and, for that to happen, Congress needs to step back.