Senate Consultancy Deems Eduardo Bolsonaro’s Ambassadorial Appointment Nepotism

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Senate’s Legislative Consultancy issued an opinion classifying the prospective appointment of federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro to the Brazilian embassy in Washington as an instance of nepotism.

The opinion argues that the position of head of the diplomatic delegation, to which Eduardo Bolsonaro would be appointed, is a civil service position rather than a political position. Nepotism is prohibited in such  aposition by a 2010 decree and a 2008 Federal Supreme Court (STF) ruling.

“The interdiction extends to relatives up to the third degree of kinship, which obviously includes children of the appointing official, whose kinship is the closest possible”, states the text signed by Senate experts. Nominees to Brazilian embassies must be approved by the Senate.

If the position of ambassador were merely political, such as that of minister or secretary, the opinion says that there would be an exception to the rule of nepotism. Political positions close to the executive are not required to comply with the general rule.

The opinion, signed by consultants Renato Monteiro de Rezende and Tarciso Dal Maso Jardim, is dated August 13th. The Legislative Consultancy produces its technical notes at senators’ request, and can be used to base their decisions on projects and appointments.

The Senate experts further say that “nepotism and favoritism, as manifestations of patrimonialism, are phenomena that have been observed since the early days of the colonization of Brazil and that extend to the present day.”

Quoting jurist Paulo Modesto, the text classifies the practice as “a form of self-preservation and self-protection of the elites.”

Bolsonaro has not officially announced the deputy’s appointment. Nelsinho Trad, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (CRE), has not yet chosen the rapporteur for the future appointment. He refrained from commenting on the advisory opinion and said the final decision would be assessed by the full Senate.

Last Thursday, President Jair Bolsonaro said that Eduardo would “sense the right moment” to send his nomination to the Senate because it is he who is speaking to senators.

The climate on the committee is reportedly one of division. There are eight votes against Eduardo, seven in favor, and four undecided. The committee and plenary votes are by secret ballot.

Eduardo Bolsonaro is currently campaigning for the approval of his name and has visited senators in their offices. He is prioritizing members of the CRE.

In his discussions, he argues what he has been saying in public: he is close to President Donald Trump, has lived in the United States, and was chairman of the Committee of Foreign Relations in the Chamber, among other attributes.