Senator Ana Amélia: "A plebiscite is a setback"
"We cannot outsource or place on the shoulders of the population the entire weight and responsibility that is especially ours, of the democratic institutions," said Senator Ana Amélia (PP-RS), stating that complex issues related to political reform are already being debated in Congress, with "mature" assessments by specialized institutions, and that there is no need for a plebiscite.
From the Senate Agency - In a statement this Wednesday (3), Senator Ana Amélia (PP-RS) stated that complex issues related to political reform are already being debated in Congress, with assessments "matured" by specialized institutions, and there is no need for a plebiscite.
According to the congresswoman, popular consultations are valid when they deal with issues such as the firearms trade or regional concerns, such as the definition of time zones in some regions and the division and creation of new states.
"We cannot outsource or place on the shoulders of the population the entire burden and responsibility that is especially ours, as democratic institutions," he said.
Ana Amélia also defended optional voting, considering it more democratic, and questioned the current plebiscite model proposed by the President of the Republic.
The congresswoman emphasized that the Senate's agenda already includes projects on the topics suggested by the government for consultation: public campaign financing; proportional or district voting; alternate senators; the end of secret voting; and party coalitions in proportional elections.
In this regard, Ana Amélia recalled that she presented a proposed amendment to the Constitution to modernize the Brazilian political system (PEC 48/2012). The proposal provides for a mechanism of incompatibility – leaving office in case of reelection – to prevent the misuse of public resources.
"We have an inherent institutional commitment due to the nature of our mandate, and just as we vote on very relevant matters, such as the allocation of royalties to education, we can vote on these matters with peace of mind because there is consensus on many of them, and those that don't have consensus, we go to a vote. This is the simplest system," he stated.
The senator also pointed out that at least 30 questions about political reform would be needed in the plebiscite for the adjustments to be complete and yield practical results. She emphasized that the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) had set a minimum deadline of 70 days to make the public consultation feasible.
"The plebiscite, in my view, is a setback, postponing important approvals until after September and thus preventing the rules from taking effect in the 2014 elections," he argued.