Chamber intended to vote on text to suspend Lula’s decree; government base makes agreement and promises to change the act in April
The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) stated this Wednesday (27 March 2024) that it will postpone the requirement for visas for tourists from the United States, Canada and Australia until 2025. The promise was given in the plenary of the Chamber by deputy Alencar Santana (PT-SP). He represented the government base at the session.
PDL (Project Legislative Decree) 140 of 2023 was on the agenda, presented by the opposition to stop Lula’s act and resume the exemption from documentation for foreign travelers to the countries. The president’s decree is effective from April 10 of this year.
Approval of the project would be a defeat for the Executive.
However, Alencar said that the government would issue the decree to establish a new validity starting in April 2025. He also signaled that the Executive will edit the text by April 9th – one day before visa requirements begin.
“The government will issue the new decree, changing the validity, instead of the deadline being April 10, 2024, it would be April 10, 2025. During this period, there would be reasonable time for us to find a way out. for this issue”said the deputy.
The congressman further stated that if, “perhaps”if the Executive does not comply with the agreement within the established time, the deputies could vote on the proposal without obstruction from the government.
Party leaders accepted the agreement and the president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), postponed the vote.
PDL 140 of 2023
In December 2023, deputies approved the urgency to vote on PDL 140 of 2023.
It is authored by deputy Marcel Van Hattem (Novo-RS). It was presented at the time Lula’s decree was published, in May last year.
UNDERSTAND LULA’S DECREE
The government published the measure on May 2, 2023. The act revokes a 2019 decree, signed by the then president Jair Bolsonaro (PL). Lula’s decree would come into effect on October 1st of this year, but, in September, Planalto extended effective January 10, 2024.
The current government’s decision was based on a survey that indicated that there was no increase in the number of tourists from these countries in Brazil with the revocation of the visa requirement. The government also considered the principle of “reciprocity”since Brazilian tourists needed a visa to visit these countries.
Initially, Japan was also included in the requirement. However, in August, Tokyo announced which would not require visas for Brazilians on trips of up to 90 days and Brazil would then followed the principle of “reciprocity”.
This report was produced by journalism intern Maria Laura Giuliani under the supervision of assistant editor Isadora Albernaz.
