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Brazil & Southern Cone - 24 August 2004
Lula brushes with authoritarianism
In the face of renewed allegations of corruption within the government and his Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT), President Lula da Silva has decided to send three controversial bills to congress this month. Worried about the damage that these allegations may have in the party's performance in the forthcoming municipal elections in October, the president seems to have taken action in a hurry and the government sent two bills to congress
without the usual debate between the executive and a commission from the legislative. The first bill recommends the creation of a National Agency of Cinema and Audiovisual (Ancinav) in order to 'safeguard and defend the production of national films'. A second bill, sent to congress on 5 August, proposes the creation of a Federal Journalism Council (CFJ) to 'guide, discipline and supervise' journalists. Another bill is to be sent at the end of August proposing an amendment in the civil servant's code of ethics to prevent sensitive information being leaked to the press.
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- Targeting a vast dollar-leaching network
- Lula brushes with authoritarianism
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- ARGENTINA: IMF sends in Rato as debt deal stalls
- CHILE: Everyone loses as Spiniak case falls apart
- CHILE: Pinochet - end of an era?
- PARAGUAY: Duarte's anniversary prompts little celebration
- URUGUAY: Poll shakes rightwing
- EU and Mercosur talks break down
- Quotes of the month