Brazil's STF Minister Sends Party Leaders' Responses on Amendment Allocations to Federal Police

Minister Flávio Dino of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) has forwarded to the Federal Police the statements provided by Valdemar Costa Neto, president of the Liberal Party (PL), and Gilberto Kassab, president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). These statements address the involvement of party leaders in the allocation of parliamentary amendments. Both Costa Neto and Kassab asserted to the STF that party presidents do not make such designations. Costa Neto stated that the National President of the PL lacks any quota, reserve, ownership, or legal mechanism for allocating parliamentary amendments, and does not formally indicate them or order their execution. Similarly, Kassab declared that the Presidency of the PSD has never interfered with, suggested, or participated in any deliberations concerning the criteria for allocating parliamentary amendments. Dino's action follows his directive on November 15th, requiring all party presidents with congressional representation to explain their parties' practices regarding the channeling of parliamentary amendments to states and municipalities. The information was sent to the Federal Police to aid their investigations into alleged irregularities in amendment allocations. Notably, Costa Neto and former Chamber of Deputies president Eduardo Cunha are under investigation for allegedly indicating amendments despite not holding elected office. Dino emphasized the relevance of these responses for the Federal Police's investigative process and for a better analysis of existing practices.