MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil approves system to elect representatives for Mercosur parliament

The Mercosur Parliament operates from Montevideo

The Brazilian congress passed the rules for the election by political parties of Mercosur parliament representatives, which beginning 2014 are to be chosen by popular vote.

Brazil is the last of the four Mercosur full members in establishing how it will vote for its representative in the regional parliament which has its seat in Montevideo which has delayed this year’s openeing.

Until last December Brazil as well as Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay had 18 representatives each in the Mercosur legislative but beginning this year, based on an agreement to give the body more representation, Brazil will have 37 seats, Argentina, 26 and Paraguay and Uruguay, 18 each.

In a further step to be implemented in 2014 Brazil is scheduled to hold 75seats, Argentine 43, and the two junior members, 18 each.

The proportional representation criteria, based on each member’s population were approved by Mercosur Foreign Affairs ministers last October in Montevideo.

According to the bill approved by the Brazilian congress representatives for the Mercosur parliament will be elected when the coming legislative and congressional elections scheduled in Brazil for 2014.

Until then as has been the norm, designation of delegates to the Mercosur parliament will be in the hands of parties and their congressional representation in each house.

Furthermore representatives for the new Mercosur legislature should be chosen by the political parties in the course of ten days.

The Mercosur parliament was officially opened 6 December 2006, with its permanent seat in Montevideo and is merely a consultation body. It also has a symbolic representation from Venezuela, since the country is in the process of incorporation to the South American block as a full member.