Britto to 247: "I am not and will not be a candidate"

Valter Lima, special correspondent for Brasil 247 – In an exclusive interview with Brazil 247On Thursday, the 24th, in Aracaju, where he participated in a ceremony of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), the former president of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Carlos Ayres Britto, said that "the institutions in Brazil function well, with 25 years of validity of an eminently democratic and mature constitution, contemporary and open-minded," which leads him to disbelieve in the possibility of a crisis between the STF and the Chamber of Deputies.

"Until today, there hasn't really been an institutional breakdown. The branches of government end up understanding each other. Because, ultimately, the sense of institutional integrity is above any eventual sense of vanity. This commitment to the institution in the Supreme Court has been an unbreakable rule," he stated. However, when questioned about the validity of the Supreme Court determining the loss of mandates for those convicted in the Mensalão scandal, he said he preferred not to comment.

Even after leaving the Supreme Court, Ayres Britto stated that he has been following the production of decisions, the drafting of opinions, and the discussions. "The Supreme Court has always prioritized independence, both political and technical, which is commendable," he said.

Retired from the Supreme Federal Court, the former minister received his Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) membership card this Thursday, allowing him to return to practicing law, an activity he was prohibited from doing while serving as a judge. A native of Sergipe, he chose to rejoin the institution through his state's regional branch. The ceremony took place during the inauguration of the new board of directors of the OAB/SE.

Ao 247Ayres Britto said, however, that he does not intend to return to practicing law. "I am recovering my lawyer's license, but primarily to work in the area of ​​legal opinions, and I will also produce more books, republish some books, and intensify my academic activity as a lecturer and professor," he said.

Regarding the possibility of entering public life and running for office in 2014, the former minister was emphatic: "political life is completely ruled out." According to him, he received some invitations from politicians in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and Sergipe. "I received some suggestions, provocations, but I didn't encourage them. That doesn't appeal to me," he replied.

Read the main excerpts from the conversation:

How does it feel to come back here to pick up your card?

It's a good, strong emotion; life is a perpetual restart. I began here as a lawyer, a legal professional. Now I'm starting over here, already outside the judiciary, so I've turned a page as a magistrate and reopened it in law practice. And with great pleasure and honor, I continue serving my country, continuing to study diligently, with passion and seriousness, from a scientific and ethical point of view. So it's a good night for me.

But will you return to practicing law? What are your plans for 2013?

I am getting my lawyer's license back, but primarily to work in the area of ​​legal opinions, and I will also produce more books, republish some existing ones, and intensify my academic activity as a lecturer and professor—in short, a world of possibilities.

And what about political life?

No, no. Political life is completely out of the question.

But did you receive any invitations? Were there any invitations here in Sergipe? And in other states?

I received some suggestions, some provocations, but I didn't encourage them. Some friends from São Paulo, Rio, Brasília, Sergipe, from several other states, but that doesn't appeal to me.

Are you following the Supreme Federal Court (STF) after Carlos Brito?

I follow the production of decisions, the drafting of opinions, the discussions. The Supreme Court is a house that shapes national destiny and historically it is composed of legal scholars of notable legal knowledge and ethical respectability. And the Supreme Court has always prioritized independence, both political and technical, which is beautiful. I have the best memories of the Supreme Court. I think I passed through there and didn't waste my trip. My time at the Supreme Court was intense, a moment of experiencing all the activities firsthand.

And it is still marked by the most famous trial.

Yes. I had to put this matter to trial. It was my duty, and so I did.

How do you view this impasse with the Chamber, including with Congressman Genoíno taking office?

Institutions in Brazil function well. We have 25 years of validity of an eminently democratic and mature constitution, contemporary and open-minded. And to this day there hasn't really been an institutional breakdown. The branches of government end up understanding each other. Because ultimately, the sense of institutional order is above any eventual sense of vanity. This commitment to the institution in the Supreme Court has been an unbreakable rule. Now, regarding the merits of this issue, I prefer not to comment.