Breakdown of the Quinquenium PEC could reach R$ 81 billion

The Proposed Amendment to the Constitution 10/23, known as PEC do Quinquênio, could cost around R$81.6 billion to the public coffers, between 2024 and 2026. The estimate is from a technical note issued by the Budget, Inspection and Control of the Senate. The PEC grants an additional 5% every five years to Judiciary careers, despite being limited to 35% of the salary.

The technical note was formulated at the request of the government leadership office in Congress. The document highlights that the effects are “undeniably severe in terms of their consequences on increased spending”.

“With these restrictions in mind, it is concluded that the annual financial impact of PEC nº 10, of 2023, in the original form in which it was presented, is estimated at R$ 10.3 billion annually if it had been in force throughout the fiscal year 2024; R$10.9 billion for 2025, and R$11.4 billion for 2026”, warns the technical note.

The PEC — authored by the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG) — intended the benefit only for judges, prosecutors and public prosecutors. But the report by senator Eduardo Gomes (PL-TO), approved by the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ), on April 17, expanded the advantage to ministers and advisors of the courts of auditors, public lawyers, members of legal careers, defenders public and delegates of the Federal Police (PF).

Eduardo Gomes’ text goes further. It also allows “public servants who, by constitutional provision or the respective governing laws, are prevented or choose not to carry out other remunerated activity, may, by decision of the respective Power or autonomous body, in each case, be entitled” to the benefit.

Defense

Despite the breach estimated by the technical note, Pacheco maintained his defense of the text approved by the CCJ. According to him, the savings for public accounts that would be generated with the bill that combats super salaries is “greater than the increase in spending within the budget” for the 5% bonus every five years.

Pacheco stated that if the matter is approved in the Chamber and the Senate, the promulgation will await the processing of the Supersalários PL. “I am committed to structuring the careers of the Judiciary and the Public Ministry. It will only be enacted if the bill that ends super salaries in Brazil is approved,” he stated.

According to Pacheco, it is necessary to “provide conditions for the judiciary and the Public Ministry to have a career structure”. “We will have full responsibility for dialoguing with the Executive Branch, since (the PEC) extends to careers that are linked to the Executive, so that the cost of this can be estimated”, noted the senator.

At breakfast with journalists, yesterday, at Palácio do Planalto, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed that he will meet with Pacheco, later this week, to discuss the PEC that could worsen public accounts.