Cármen Lúcia acting president of Brazil again

With President Michel Temer off to Mexico, Supreme Court Chief Justice Cármen Lúcia once again fills in as acting president of Brazil today (Jul. 23). As Temer is also slated to attend the 10th summit of the BRICS in South Africa on July 25 and 27, Cármen Lúcia is expected to remain in the post for the remainder of the week.

This is the fourth time Justice Cármen Lúcia leads the country. On Tuesday (17), last week, she also served as acting president while Temer was in Cape Verde to take part in the 12th Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).

President Michel Temer handed over his post to Supreme Court Chief Justice Cármen Lúcia – Cesar Itiberê / President's Office

Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance

The Brazilian president took off for Mexico today (23), where he is to meet with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and dine with heads of state. Tomorrow (24), in the city of Puerto Vallarta, Temer is to take part in the first meeting with presidents from member states of Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance—a regional integration initiative joined by Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico.

In the assembly, the presidents are expected to approve a joint statement and a plan of action complementing and expanding the agenda drawn up by the two blocs on facilitated commerce, regulatory cooperation, digital technology, and inclusive trade.

Brazil is among the chief countries interested in a future accord between the Pacific Alliance and Mercosur, as no free-trade agreement has been forged with Mexico yet.