Reporter claims that US pressure on Pix gives impetus to BC's PEC in the Senate
The United States' questioning of Pix opens a window of political opportunity to advance in the Senate with the vote on the PEC (Proposed Amendment to the Constitution) that expands the autonomy of the Central Bank and includes the Brazilian system of instant payments in the Federal Constitution, the report's rapporteur, Senator Plínio Valério (PSDB-AM), told CNN Brasil.
His expectation is that the text will be analyzed by the CCJ (Constitution and Justice Committee) of the House next Wednesday (10) and, if there is an agreement, it will be voted on in the plenary on the same day.
The version of the text proposed by Plínio provides for a type of constitutional shielding of Pix, determining that the system remains under the exclusive control of the Central Bank and preserving features such as free access for individuals, universal access and security of operations.
Throughout this week, since the United States increased pressure on the operation of Pix by seeing it as unfair competition to the country's financial companies, both President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and his opponent to Planalto, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), sought to reinforce a message of support and even patriotism for the system.
In Goiás, Lula appeared at an event holding a sign with the words "Pix is from Brazil", while, in Minas, Flávio held up a sign with the message "Pix is from Brazil and Bolsonaro". In fact, the system began to be developed by technicians from the Central Bank during the Michel Temer (MDB) government and was then launched under the Jair Bolsonaro (PL) administration.
The attitude of the main presidential candidates reinforces that, in this pre-campaign, Pix is consolidated as a strategic asset in the economy and in the routine of Brazilians - which neither is willing to give up.
When questioned by the report, however, Plínio said he had not been approached to speed up the processing of the proposal.
There are still other ongoing discussions about the PEC, such as the autonomy and governance of the Central Bank itself. The proposal was originally presented in 2023 by senator Vanderlan Cardoso (PSD-GO). If approved in two rounds in the Senate, it will go to the Chamber of Deputies for analysis.
On May 20, during a meeting at the CCJ, Plínio read the most recent opinion. Then, the president of the commission, Otto Alencar (PSD-BA), granted a request for a collective view - more time to analyze the text -, as is customary and regulated. Now, Otto's intention is to vote on the matter next week, without letting it linger before the parliamentary recess, in mid-July.
Source: CNN