Janot is sworn in as Attorney General of the Republic.

André Richter
Reporter from Agência Brasil

Brasilia - Attorney General of the Republic, Rodrigo Janot, was sworn in this Tuesday (17) by President Dilma Rousseff. He will occupy the position left vacant by the departure of former Attorney General Roberto Gurgel, who left his post on August 15, after four years in office. The ceremony was attended by several authorities from the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, including the Vice President of the Republic, Michel Temer, the President of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Joaquim Barbosa, and the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Henrique Eduardo Alves (PMDB-RN).

In his speech, Janot highlighted the fight for the independence of the Public Prosecutor's Office and defended dialogue with all sectors of society. "I propose strengthening dialogue, within the Public Prosecutor's Office, outside the Public Prosecutor's Office, and with the most diverse public and private entities. A willingness to engage in dialogue does not mean renunciation. I propose the challenge of becoming more receptive to institutional interaction," he said.

Rodrigo Janot was nominated for the position by Dilma Rousseff and his name was approved by the Senate on August 10th. Janot led the shortlist of three candidates submitted by the National Association of Federal Prosecutors (ANPR) to the president. In a statement announcing her choice, Dilma said that "Janot meets all the requirements to head the Public Prosecutor's Office with independence, transparency and adherence to the Constitution."

Janot has been Deputy Attorney General since 2003. A Federal Prosecutor since 1984, he holds a master's degree in law from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, with a specialization in consumer and environmental law from the Santa Anna University School of Studies in Italy. He was president of the prosecutors' association from 1995 to 1997 and was on the shortlist of three candidates in 2011.

In April, during a debate promoted by ANPR, Janot sought to downplay the individual importance of the Attorney General of the Republic, emphasizing the importance of the collective work of the prosecutors. "Let's not be islands. We have to be archipelagos interconnected by bridges," he said at the time. The position of Attorney General of the Republic is currently being held on an interim basis by Helenita Acioli.

Dilma defends the autonomy of the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Paulo Victor Chagas
Reporter from Agência Brasil

During her inauguration, President Dilma Rousseff highlighted the autonomy of the Public Prosecutor's Office as essential for strengthening Brazil as a democracy. "The free operation of the Public Prosecutor's Office is an indispensable condition for the improvement of democratic institutions, the preservation of the rule of law, and the guarantee of individual and collective rights for all Brazilians," said the president.

According to the president, Rodrigo Janot has the challenge of guaranteeing these principles. "The Attorney General of the Republic, whom I have the honor of swearing in at this ceremony, is one of the guardians of this inviolability of citizenship and respect for the principles and legal rules enshrined in our legal order," said Dilma.

According to the president, the newly appointed head of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office is capable of facing these challenges "thanks to his brilliant legal career, his professional qualifications, and the recognition of his peers." "In nominating him for this important role, I was able to identify in him the capacity, as Attorney General of the Republic, to act as a defender of the rule of law and the democratic regime, two of the primary functions of the Public Prosecutor's Office," she said.

Dilma reminded everyone that the right to a defense must be guaranteed to all accused citizens. "Justice is justice that is actually carried out, respecting legal deadlines, ensuring the full right to a defense, and observing criteria based on balance and consideration."

As head of the Executive Branch, Dilma stressed that she would do her part to ensure the equality of the Public Prosecutor's Office and the work of the prosecutors are respected. "I assure you that my government will dedicate efforts to further enhance the full exercise of the constitutional powers of the Public Prosecutor's Office and will always respect the autonomy of the federal prosecutors."

At the end of her speech, Dilma assessed that Janot is capable of leading the Public Prosecutor's Office free from pressure. "I am certain that Rodrigo Janot will implement an efficient line of action in the Attorney General's Office, marked by good judgment and independence," she concluded, wishing Janot well in his work.