The Chamber of Deputies approved this Wednesday (22), by 398 votes in favor and 30 against, the urgency to vote on a draft resolution that creates a new parliamentary bench: the Christian bench. The vote was included in the early afternoon by the president of the House, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB). If the project is approved, the new bench, made up of evangelical and Catholic parliamentarians, will join the other two already existing: female and black.
In addition, the bench leader will have the right to participate in meetings of Chamber leaders, with the right to voice and vote; and to speak, personally or by delegation, during the period of leadership communications, for five minutes, weekly.
The project was presented by the presidents of the evangelical and Catholic parliamentary fronts, respectively Gilberto Nascimento (PSD-SP) and Luiz Gastão (PSD-CE). The proposal says that the bench will be responsible for ensuring the participation of their respective deputies in the bodies and activities of the Chamber of Deputies.
According to the request, the formalization of the Christian bench in the Internal Regulations represents the recognition of a widely consolidated political and social reality.
“Such a measure reaffirms Parliament’s commitment to plural representation, ensuring that moral convictions shared by a large portion of the Brazilian population find legitimate, organized and transparent expression in the legislative process,” says the request.
The request also says that the two fronts will continue to exist and operate alongside the Christian Caucus, “independently, on agendas that converge and express common values.”
The measure generated controversy in the plenary, at the end of the vote, Motta said it will ensure a broad debate on the topic.
