Comandatuba Forum Discusses Whether Brazil is Ready for the World Cup and the Olympics

-- Democracy and the function of the three branches of government also enter into the debate

SAO PAULO, May 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- During the opening of the seminar Brazil: Are you Ready for the World Cup and the Olympics? at the 12th Comandatuba Forum [Forum de Comandatuba], Governor Jaques Wagner said that Bahia is the only state that manages democracy well. "To the members of Congress I say they should cool off, because conflict among the branches of government isn't good; this mood of Congress versus the Supreme Court is no good, and let's hope we get away from this to find more consensual approaches."

Sticking with the theme of democracy and the three branches of government, Deputy Henrique Alves (PMDB), President of the Federal Chamber of Deputies, pointed out that Congress is the only one whose members are elected by popular vote. "The Judiciary Branch, no matter how distinguished and how much respect its members may deserve, is made up entirely of appointees." To Alves, last week there was "unnecessary tension that was wrong, absurd, unacceptable and unthinkable between the judiciary and the legislative branch." "It would be the height of irresponsibility for there to be any conflict, any confrontation between these two branches of our democracy."

Meanwhile, Senate President, Renan Calheiros, pointed out that the theme of the seminar could not be more timely. "The Cup and the Olympics are important opportunities to raise income levels through the development of infrastructure. For this to happen, funding must be provided not only by Federal, state and municipal governments, but also by the private sector, because it is comparable to the branches of government." The Senator mentioned a World Bank study that ranked Brazil as one of the most difficult countries for doing business in because of bureaucracy. "We are the 7th largest economy in the world, and because of that, we have an obligation to go forward. And if bureaucracy is bad for business, bureaucratization is devastating for the legislative system."

Aldo Rebelo, Minister of Sports, said that the two great events will be followed by three billion people, in addition to 20 thousand accredited journalists and another 20 thousand unaccredited journalists, and because of this it is imperative to invest in urban transportation, ports, airports, security and technology. Rebelo emphasized that airports will double their capacity for takeoffs and landings, and that operational problems will be worked out by 2014.

Sponsored by LIDE – Grupo de Lideres Empresariais [Group of Business Leaders], the Forum took place from April 27th to 30th at the Transamerica Hotel on the island of Comandatuba (BA), and brought together 302 executives, governors, mayors, lawmakers and prominent personalities for a broad and decisive debate on the development of the country.

More information:

Rose Rocha – rose-rocha@cdn.com.br, +55-11-3643-2952