Brazil lawmakers back to work as Congress reopens

A joint ceremony at Brazil’s lower house and the Senate is set to mark the resumption of legislative proceedings in the country this year. During the event, a message submitted by the president to Parliament with the priorities set by the Executive will be read out loud.

In a legislative year crammed as a result of municipal elections—which usually empty Congress during the campaigning period—the message is expected to prioritize two reforms: the tax and the administrative overhauls. Both have been discussed for months by the government’s economic staff as well as lower house speaker Rodrigo Maia and Senate head Davi Alcolumbre.

A message with the president’s priorities for 2020 will be read aloud - Wilson Dias/Agência Brasil

According to the president’s Chief of Staff Onyx Lorenzoni, who will represent President Bolsonaro in the session, in addition to underscoring the role of the tax and administrative reforms, the message should talk about the fight against crime and corruption and the strengthening of the country’s image overseas.

“In the first year of our administration, we have restored Brazil’s domestic confidence as well as external. Today, wherever we go, countries look at Brazil convinced about the country’s present and good future, be it for the foreign investor, for Brazilians, and for society,” the president’s message to Congress, which will be read by Lorenzoni, reads.