Brazilian Constitution now 30 years old

Brazilians are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their Constitution, approved in 1988. To change it, the Constituent Assembly installed in 1986 created a number of obstacles. For any of its clauses be altered, three fifths of Congress members in each house plus a two-round vote are required.

In practice, changing the Constitution depends on the favorable vote of 513 lawmakers from the lower house, and that of 49 of the 81 senators. For a clause to be approved by the Constituent Assembly, the favorable votes of half plus one of parliamentarians were demanded.

This is the first year since its promulgation in which no changes are made to the constitutional text, due to the federal public security intervention carried out in Rio de Janeiro, slated to end on December 31 this year. The Constitution dictates that no amendments may be approved in the middle of a federal intervention, or if the government declares state of defense or siege.

Up to August, 536 amendments were suspended in the Senate as a result of the intervention. Of these, 82 were ready for vote. In the lower house, 1,191 bills are pending deliberation.

President Michel Temer said he is willing to approve the early suspension of the intervention if there is consensus for voting on the constitutional amendment bill on the reform of the country’s pension system still this year.