President of the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP), defended the President of the Central Bank (BC), Roberto Campos Neto, whom he referred to as a “personal friend” and a “great Brazilian.” Alcolumbre also mentioned that the BC president “has greatly helped us improve the lives of Brazilians and the state.” “I have been monitoring the recent debates on the economic policies of the Central Bank, led by Roberto Campos Neto, with some sectors of the government. In this context, regardless of ideological or party differences, I want to talk about Roberto Campos Neto as a person and a professional – who is a personal friend of mine. I want to defend and acknowledge the significant role he plays at the Central Bank, in a scenario where any Central Bank president, in any government, is often criticized by the very government,” said Alcolumbre.
According to the CCJ president – and likely successor to Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG) as the Senate President next year – Campos Neto is “a great Brazilian who has greatly contributed to improving the lives of Brazilians and the state.”
Alcolumbre’s statements were made in response to attacks against Campos Neto during a session of the CCJ where the proposal for a Constitutional Amendment (PEC) on the autonomy of the Central Bank was discussed. The government’s deputy leader in the Senate, Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO), referred to the BC president as “anti-Brazilian” and “despicable.”
“As long as an anti-Brazilian, despicable individual like Roberto Campos Neto is at the Central Bank, I would not have the courage to grant him any autonomy,” he stated.
“One thing is offering autonomy to a Central Bank led by a president who doesn’t act politically, who doesn’t work against Brazil out of personal hatred for former President Lula. It’s something personal, venomous, from this, I repeat, despicable Roberto Campos Neto,” said Kajuru.
The vote on the PEC was postponed due to a lack of agreement between the government and the opposition. Negotiations are expected to resume in the second semester to facilitate a consensus that allows for the review of the text in the committee.