Arthur Lira advocates agreement with government to define leadership of new body
09/18/2024
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Brazil’s Lower House Speaker Arthur Lira has indicated to his allies that the creation of the Climate Authority, announced by the government last week, will only move forward if its leader is chosen through a consensus between the Executive and Legislative branches. The continuation of the body would depend on the approval of the National Congress, which is responsible for passing or rejecting provisional presidential decrees.
During the transition period in 2022, the government attempted to establish the body, one of President Lula’s campaign promises, but backed down in the face of resistance from the Legislature.
In private conversations, Mr. Lira has argued that attempting to impose a leader could increase the likelihood of resistance in Congress, even though recent episodes of wildfires across the country have bolstered the case for the need for such a climate authority.
The rural caucus has already signaled that it may mobilize against the appointment if not consulted in advance. The group aims to prevent the body from falling under the Ministry of Environment, led by Marina Silva.
Congressman Pedro Lupion, the head of the caucus, said, “Marina and her team have already shown their ability to manage a crisis like this.” He added, “Their incompetence has been proven. Congress will have to approve [the Climate Authority] and, in the meantime, find the best government area and the best candidates.”
“The climate authority is not a single person but a committee that evaluates both prevention and correction measures. If it operates like in Rio Grande do Sul, appointing someone like Paulo Pimenta as the authority, it won’t work because it politicizes the debate without solving anything,” said Congressman Alceu Moreira, a member of the Agricultural Parliamentary Front (FPA).
Mr. Moreira believes that if Minister Marina Silva were chosen to also head the Climate Authority, her appointment would be rejected by Congress.
“The Climate Authority should be appointed by the National Congress and established as an institution with a clear mandate. It should be a state entity, not a government one. If it merely reflects the government’s ideology, it serves no purpose and only causes harm. It needs to be a technical expert,” emphasized the congressman from Rio Grande do Sul.
“I think it’s a positive initiative, as long as it’s not an ideological appointee. This position requires a nonpartisan approach and strong coordination within and outside the government. If not, we already have the Ministry of Environment. I support constructing a name with the three branches of government,” said Congressman Zé Vitor, a member of the rural caucus and the Lower House’s Environment Committee.
The opposition has already started criticizing the creation of the Climate Authority. Congresswoman Bia Kicis, in a video posted on social media, claimed the government “only thinks about creating public agencies and spending more money.” She questioned, “Isn’t Marina Silva the minister? Shouldn’t she be the Climate Authority?”
In an interview with Valor, Minister Marina Silva stated last week that she has been discussing for months with Mr. Lira the need for a comprehensive policy to combat extreme weather events, which would include a Climate Authority.
*Por Marcelo Ribeiro, Julia Lindner — Brasília
Source: Valor International