Corruption is endemic in Brazil says chief federal attorney

The government’s chief federal attorney (advogado-geral da União) Luis Inacio Adams, declared that in Brazil corruption is endemic and a permanent problem. “It is up to the government and the citizen to exercise permanent vigilance and control over this pathogen,” declared Adams on the “Good Morning, Minister” program (“Bom Dia, Ministro”). He added that the problem is not just in Brazil, but that the country is going through a process of renovation.

With regard to the situation in the Federal District where the governor is behind bars for trying to bribe a witness and obstruction of justice, Adams explained that if federal intervention is used it will mean the end of administrative independence for the nation’s capital and the biggest impact will be in the local legislature (known as the CLDF – Legislative Chamber of the Federal District).  “The Supreme Court decides if intervention is called for and president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has the prerogative to decide how it will operate. Thus, in this unprecedented situation, it is possible to simply substitute the president of the Legislative Assembly or, in a more drastic move, close down the assembly and transfer its functions to the National Congress,” said Adams.