Tags
Brazilian politics, Congressman Eduardo Cunha, Corporate donations in election campaigns, Election campaign finance, Overturning Citizens United, Petrobras kickback scandal, Political corruption
Sculpture “Justice” by Alfredo Ceschiatti
Supreme Federal Court – Brasília – Federal District – Brazil
Photo Credit: Valter Campanato/Agência Brasil
Sparked by national outcry for change, on September 17, 2015, Brazil took a giant leap forward. Amidst the fallout of the kickback scheme at the state-own oil company Petrobras, the Supreme Federal Court (STF) finally ruled in the case for “clean campaign finance” filed in 2013 by the Brazilian Bar Association. With a favorable verdict of eight to three, they declared legislation allowing businesses to finance election campaigns as unconstitutional. Considering that in Brazil’s 2014 general elections almost 95 percent of donations came from large corporations, this is a blow to the political power elite.
Justice Luiz Fuz, voting in favor of the ban on corporate donations, said: “I know that the verdict is important for democracy, because the inherent values to democracy presupposes a free participation, an ideological participation in elections, and these donations by corporations end up contaminating the democratic process, the political power by economic power, which is absolutely unacceptable in a democracy.”
Also ruling in favor, Justice Rosa Weber argued: “The influence of economic power has ended up transforming the electoral process into a political game of marked cards, a despicable pantomime which makes the voter a puppet…”
Opposing the ban, Justice Gilmar Mendes contended that it would only benefit the ruling Workers Party (PT) that “would not need more contributions, as they are financed with the embezzlement of public money.”
Congressman Eduardo Cunha rejected the verdict. As Speaker of the House and former leader of the Party for the Movement of Democracy in Brazil (PMDB), he is one of Brazil’s most influential politicians. Just a week before the STF ruling, he led Congress in passing a new campaign finance bill that allowed corporate donations of over US$5 million. Standing with the STF ruling, President Dilma Rousseff has vetoed this bill.
Brazilians have had enough. The Petrobras kickback scheme – now estimated at more than US$5 billion – has brought their country to its knees, leaving millions without work. Some of the spoil went to politicians. Eduardo Cunha is among those under investigation for alleged involvement. Recent disclosures from Swiss authorities could link him to the kickback scheme. But Cunha denies he holds Swiss bank accounts and any involvement in money laundering. He refuses to step down as Speaker of the House.
In a country were corruption is endemic, the STF ban on corporate donations is a bold step. Enforcing the new legislation will not be easy. As opponents to the ruling have noted, individuals can still contribute up to 10 percent of their annual income, providing a loophole for corporate exploitation.
In the United States, Big Money exploits all loopholes for pouring billions of dollars into our electoral process, transforming our democracy into a Brazilian-style oligarchy. Through the Aware and Fair Blog, I learned that the recent Bloomberg Politics National Poll reveals a whopping 78 percent of Americans – Republicans, Democrats, and Independents – agree on something: overturning Citizens United. Does our Supreme Court hold the power to take that bold step forward?
Three Worlds One Vision 
Brasil é um herói! Longos Brasil ao vivo!
Thank-you, Rosaliene.
P.S. Should the first sentence above start with O?
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Yes, it should, but it’s okay. Once again, Brazil is facing some tough times. Many of the people may not appreciate that they have a tough and capable woman at the helm. From Day One, she was ready to tackle corruption: the country’s greatest scourge.
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I was cheering the significance of the legislation in terms of what it expresses about the public political climate. I know it’s a long, hazardous and unpredictable road from that expression to its realization – if, indeed, sucess is reached at all. But whenever the people struggle, I have to cheer. (-:
The hidden hand of the USA has to be assumed present in virtually all major political/economic developments throughout Latin America. The US views (and responds strategicly to) all of Latin America wholistically, while appearing to focus on individual nations. It intends to maintain its grip on interwoven hemospheric interests, not regional ones, permanently – and regardless of the cost. Thus, I wonder how any full political analysis can omit it.
A few years ago, I was really encouraged by the ability of Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina Chile, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico and Nicaragua to move to defy the US as a unified coalition, putting the brakes on exploitative trade agreements and threats to the Venzuelan economy… Sigh. They can’t protect one another in that way now – at least for right now,
I do realize that Brazil is a huge, influential country with a varied, big economy and a old complex culture. Nevertheless, unless all of Latin America unites to forcibly eject our agressive exploitative presence, the US may be assumed to be stirring many, many pots with a heavy political hand.
I’d love to be wrong! Please don’t hesitate to tell me so. And forgive me if I spent too long on the soapbox.
I really appreciate the contribution that your blog represents, Rosaliene. It’s a valuable one.
Peace Out.
Claire
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Thanks, Claire. And thanks for sharing your concerns. I, too, cheer to see the Brazilian people standing up against violence and corruption.
I wish I could say that you’re wrong. The “hidden hand of the USA” is always present, not only in South America but also virtually every country across our planet where lots of money can be made.
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Informative post with views on both sides, Rosaliene! On the power of of lobbies and the degree that lobbies (corporate here) should be permitted to fund/influence political parties and candidates/government… Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks, Cicorm. The more I reflect on the corporation, the more I come to realize that it’s the deadliest creation of our times for it has no conscience and no limits to its growth.
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Reblogged this on Guyanese Online.
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Thanks for sharing my blog post, Cyril. Have a great week!
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Rosie
An excellent exposé ! And ruling by the judiciary.
Eduardo Cunha is smart as his Swiss accounts will not be disclosed….even if he had money in swiss bank accounts it won’t be in his name.
In money laundering no names are used…..numbers (similar to 4 digit pins….with electronic access.
There is no way to trace “individuals” but amounts in accounts can be traced.
Movements of international funds but no proof of depositer/withdrawer as is
done electronically.
If CID in Brazil are smart a search warrant of Cunha s home can be obtained through courts……am sure his 4 digit pin for his Swiss bank will be found.
But regardless am sure once a few “guilty” corrupt are questioned prosecuted
found guilty and sentenced all will be revealed…..plea bargaining used to extract the information necessary for public prosecution under Brazilian law.
In UK please bargaining is illegal once found guilty by jury.
Think we should be creating our own “e daily main stream media” ably assisted
by HRH LORD CYRIL 👑
TRUTHSEEKERS daily rabble…ha ha 🎓
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Kamtan, thanks for throwing more light on this Grand Theft. I haven’t been following the details of the Federal Police investigations, so I can’t say if they have searched Cunha’s home. Powerful men have ways of hampering police investigations.
According to the Swiss authorities, they have found bank accounts in his name and those of his relatives.
The novella unfolds.
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So if the evidence is there and is made available to Brazilian authorities let’s see if he will be arrested and questioned/prosecuted. As you rightly suggested the political cl asses in societies where corruption is endemic some politicians seem to be above the law…..after the brasillia supreme court recent ruling politically doubt if cunha will get away with his shenanigans. We will soon find out.
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Here’s hoping that justice will be served.
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Pingback: Brazil bans corporate donations to parties and election campaigns | msamba
Excellent post, Rosaliene. If only Ceschiatti’s sculpture “Justice” could come alive.
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Thanks, Dr. Stein. Glad you mention the sculpture. Not only is justice blind, but it’s also female. Impartial and compassionate?
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Much as I might like to agree (and do think women generally make better legislators), I’ve seen too many who resort to subterfuge and deceit — no different than men, I’m afraid.
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And I’m afraid I have to agree with you on that. We are our own worse enemies.
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Agree with drgeraldstein…..there are good and evil in both sexes.!
Mistakes miscarriages of justice are made by both sexes although do agree that there are more male than female judges.
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I can’t disagree with you on that point, Kamtan.
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UPDATE: OCTOBER 13, 2015
“Brazil’s Speaker Eduardo Cunha Fights for His Political Life” by Reed Johnson & Rogerio Jelmayer, The Wall Street Journal, October 13, 2015
Excerpt:
Mr. Cunha’s rise has paralleled the rapid growth of evangelical Protestantism in South America’s largest country, and his social views cemented his popularity with religious conservatives.
Maria Teresa Kerbauy, a political scientist at the São Paulo state university UNESP, said Mr. Cunha had been able to maintain power, despite repeated allegations of malfeasance, partly because of unstinting approval from fellow evangelicals.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-speaker-eduardo-cunha-fights-for-his-political-life-1444728611
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Reblogged this on THE ONENESS of HUMANITY and commented:
When Brazil’s historic, courageous actions in strengthening democracy become emulated and spread like a righteous wildfire to nations everywhere on Earth, then know a new and better world has truly arrived…
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Political emancipation is overdue….religious emancipation goes deeper and threatens it.
Religious beliefs go much deeper in Catholic Brazil and it would take more than a political tsunami
to change this. However the move by the judiciary is a step forward…..let’s hope the political will
follows. Forever the optimist….nothing impossible in improbability. Hope never dies.
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Kamtan, the struggle in Brazil is not about religious emancipation. There are other external forces at play.
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Jerry, thanks for sharing my blogpost with your readers. It is indeed a historic and courageous step forward for democracy! The battle is not yet won. Right-wing conservative forces backed by giant corporations are working overtime to impeach President Dilma Rousseff.
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Rosie
Say it…….USA influences/meddling in the internal affairs of non US matters.
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Ahh, Kamtan, if only it were just meddling!
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Banning corporate donations may be too little too late. I wouldn’t be surprised if Brazil experiences the same mass protests during next year’s Olympics as they did during the World Cup.
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Jeanne, thanks for dropping by. For the sake of the Brazilian people, I hope that this move is not too late but a step forward, however small, towards a new direction in Brazilian politics and governance.
With regards to the Olympics, I also believe that we will see the same mass protests as occurred during the World Cup. The people have awakened. The world will be watching.
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Public Citizen has been working on this issue since that unspeakable decision was made by the US Supreme Court – I’d rather not imagine this country if it isn’t overturned. Ironically, the “leftist” ACLU spoke on BEHALF of of corporate “citizenship” – they are not worthy of the adjective.
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“I’d rather not imagine this country if it isn’t overturned.”
~ Me, too, Angela.
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Rosie
Most Brazilians have met living in London are “economic migrants” but
still dream of returning to their roots.
Corruption is endemic in Brazil society and it may never be eradicated but if the political leadership wishes it can be contained. Have my doubts !😈
UK EU have corruption but with such powerful “biased” main stream media
it is not endemic…..not impossible more improbable.
The “refugee crisis” was a wake up call for EU s political cl asses !
Ways I sees it
Brazil either sink or swim.
Even Peru is doing better economically £=P5.00=B6.00 💲
Less than a year ago it was the opposite.
Economics and politics.
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“Corruption is endemic in Brazil society and it may never be eradicated but if the political leadership wishes it can be contained. Have my doubts !”
~ It’s a beginning which gives me hope for change. However, I also have my doubts that it can be eradicated. It’s too much embedded in the society and, given the size of the country, it will be a mammoth task.
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