The 70 state deputies who were elected last year took office this Wednesday (1st) at the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj). The ceremony took place in the old plenary hall, at Palácio Tiradentes, which is being revitalized and will become a cultural center later this year. (https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/geral/noticia/2023-01/predio-historico-da-alerj-sera-transformado-em-centro-cultural)
The session was chaired by deputy Carlos Minc (PSB), dean of the House, who will start his 10th term. Alerj has a renewal of 45.7% of its seats, with 32 new parliamentarians and 38 re-elected.
“I hope that Alerj is fighting to defend democracy. The coup didn’t work, but the scammers didn’t settle down. Alerj has to be a bastion of defense of democracy. The attacks didn’t work, but the conspiracy theses didn’t die. We must be alert,” Minc said in an interview with journalists after taking office.
Among the rookie parliamentarians is deputy Dani Balbi (PCdoB), the first transsexual deputy to assume a mandate in the House. She highlighted what will be her main struggle flags and acknowledged that she will face resistance among some right-wing parliamentarians, with a conservative tendency.
“The presence of trans and transvestite women’s demands in the space and the vocalization of the fight for citizenship, which involves access to the job market and demands for schooling. In the state of Rio, we estimate that 15,000 people declare themselves transsexuals and transvestites. I think yes [haverá preconceito dos parlamentares]. Which is a shame, because the exercise of a legislature should be based on guaranteeing freedom of expression. But I am convinced that with fairness, the strength of the agenda and the seriousness of our mandate we will achieve great victories”, said Balbi.
The deputies will meet again this Thursday (2), at 3 pm, also at Palácio Tiradentes, for the election of the Board of Directors and the President of the Assembly. Those elected will serve a two-year term.
