Brazil

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988, Art. 50
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Federal Constitution of 1988, Art. 52 (only the Senate has this power).
Number of written questions asked, per year
725 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
725 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Brazilian Federal Constitution, art. 50 and 58, §§ 2º and 3º
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
(2022)
See historical data for this field.

Head of State and/or Government

Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament does not play a role
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Brazilian Federal Constitution
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
Yes
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament does not play a role

Impeachment and confidence motions

Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The Head of Government
The Head of State
Individual members of the Executive
Other (please specify)
Notes
Legal proceedings and trials can be held for crimes of malversation for:
- the President and Vice-President of the Republic
- Ministers of State and the Commanders of the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force
- Justices of the Supreme Federal Court, members of the National Council of Justice, and of the National Council of the Public Prosecution, the Attorney-General of the Republic, and the Advocate-General of the Union
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Brazilian Federal Constitution, art. 51-52
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Upper chamber
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
Not applicable (there is no procedure)
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
There is "no motion of no confidence" in the Brazilian Constitution.
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Not applicable
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
Not applicable
Dissolving chambers
Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Not applicable