Bolsonaro proposes deal with Legislative, Judiciary

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro advocated a pact among all three branches to approve the reforms aimed at unlocking the economy and bring about development in Brazil. “We have all it takes to be a great nation. We need to talk a little more, here in Brasília, and discuss what we have to vote on, so we can grant what the people asked for in the elections,” he said.

The statement was made during a Sunday interview (May 26), when pro-government rallies were taking place in several cities across the country. Demonstrators argued for the pension reform, the anti-crime package, rights to own and carry guns, among others, in addition to showing support for Justice Minister Sergio Moro, and Economy Minister Paulo Guedes.

Bolsonaro said he was going to talk to lower house speaker Rodrigo Maia, Senate president David Alcolumbre, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Dias Toffoli about an agreement on the proposals devised for the nation.

“We’re in harmony [with the leaders of the three branches], but I think we still have to talk a little more—and I’m partly to blame—so that we can bring to the table what we have to approve and what we have to revoke, because there’s a lot of legislation that gets in the way of Brazil’s growth,” he declared.

Pension reform

Regarding the political negotiations, especially the talks on the overhaul of Brazil’s pension system, Brazil said he has met with Congress members and talked with Maia and Alcolumbre to speed up deliberations.

Having the pension reform approved is crucial, the president said, in order to prevent Brazil “from economically succumbing,” despite of being inelegant, as it affects the lives of workers. “As [Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said], our economic situation would become unsustainable,” he went on to say, denying conflicts with Minister Guedes.