Brazil
Federal Senate
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Presidential system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
Oversight
Oversight tools
- Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government
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Yes
Sources: Constitution, art. 58
- Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials
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No
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Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments
Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
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Yes
Sources:
Constitution, art. 45
The Federal Senate has the competence to give prior consent, by secret voting, after public hearing, on the selection of:
a) judges, in the cases established in this Constitution;
b) Justices of the Federal Audit Court appointed by the President of the Republic;
c) Governor of a territory;
d) President and directors of the Central Bank;
e) Attorney-General of the Republic.
- Approximate number of government appointments subject to parliamentary approval
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72
- Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments
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Yes
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Number of written questions asked, per year
Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered.
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54(2023)
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Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
Depending on a parliament’s system – both written and oral questions may be registered
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54(2023)
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Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of written questions answered by the number of questions that were asked.
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100.0%(2023)
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Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries
The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments. The aims and objectives of parliamentary inquiries cover a large spectrum: from a general examination of an issue of public interest to an investigative inquiry into a specific topic, the results of which may have penal implications.
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Yes
Sources: Laws 1579/52; 10.001/00 and LC 105/01
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Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
The total number of inquiries/investigations can include those carried out by any committee (permanent or ad-hoc) or specialized body within parliament. In the case an inquiry/investigation spans more than one year it is ounted once in the year it was initiated. The power of a parliament to carry out inquiries and the way in which they are done varies across parliaments.
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2(2023)
Head of State and/or Government
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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.
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Parliament does not play a role
Sources: Brazilian Federal Constitution
- The Head of Government is also the Head of State
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Yes
- Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State
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Parliament does not play a role
Impeachment and confidence motions
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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.
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Not applicable
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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
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Not applicable
Impeachment procedure
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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)
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The Head of GovernmentThe Head of StateIndividual members of the ExecutiveOther
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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
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Lower chamberUpper chamber
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
Sources: Brazilian Federal Constitution, art. 51-52
No confidence processes
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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)
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Not applicable (there is no procedure)
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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
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Not applicable
Sources: There is "no motion of no confidence" in the Brazilian Constitution.