PML: Cunha brings back the PEC of the Cane
In a meeting of House leaders on Tuesday night, Congressman Eduardo Cunha announced his support for the bill that extends the retirement age for judges by five years, a bill that has been forgotten since the end of last year, reports Paulo Moreira Leite, director of 247 in Brasília; Cunha wants the bill voted on and, "if the proposal succeeds, the Supreme Court plenary will remain with the same current composition until the end of Dilma's government," with only the vacancy left by Joaquim Barbosa being filled.
247 - The debate over the "PEC da Bengala" (Amendment to the Constitution regarding the retirement age of judges), dormant since the end of last year, resurfaced at a meeting of leaders on Tuesday night, hosted by the Speaker of the House, Deputy Eduardo Cunha (PMDB-RJ). According to Paulo Moreira Leite, director of 247 in Brasília, as reported on his blog, Cunha wants to vote on the proposal that extends the retirement age for judges by five years.
"If the proposal succeeds, the Supreme Court plenary will remain with the same current composition until the end of Dilma's government," with only the vacancy left by Joaquim Barbosa being filled, explains PML. He recalls an article he previously wrote criticizing the opposition's defense of the proposal. He states that the main issue is not being for or against the PEC, but rather "of a different nature." He said in a November article:
"Pay attention: while the opposition had a chance — real or theoretical — of assuming the presidency starting in 2015, none of its candidates found it convenient to touch the PEC da Bengala (Amendment to the Constitution regarding mandatory retirement age), even though it is a measure that, by itself, will postpone five mandatory retirements in the Supreme Court during the presidential term that begins in January 2015 and ends in January 2019."
Today, he returns to criticizing the project: "There is a relevant democratic argument against the 'cane.' Around the world, there is debate about the advisability of maintaining a Supreme Court with ministers who remain in their positions indefinitely. In Brazil, where the average life expectancy is 74,6 years, the limit of 75 would even exceed the average lifespan of each Brazilian. A bit exaggerated, let's be honest. The real debate involves defining fixed terms, between ten or fifteen years, to allow for a permanent renewal of the courts."
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