Brazil's national debate should include a discussion of who should constitute a seven-person commission to redesign the political pillars of the nation. These commissioners should not necessarily be politicians; instead they should come from the private sector, civil society, culture, and academia.
There have been many prior attempts, as recently as last year. The Brazilian Bar Association, several political parties, and even the Senate created groups to analyze political reform. But Brazil needs a different coalition of experts, one capable of forging a new social pact.
The country needs major labor, social services, and pension reforms, along with fiscal adjustments to increase tax revenues. Brazil also must move more quickly toward free trade agreements with other major economic zones. Importantly, all this must happen while preserving the social gains of the last ten years.
Any political reform effort has to be deep but cautious. In Italy, the political hurricane of Operation Clean Hands ended with the rise of Silvio Berlusconi. At this point, the last thing Brazil needs is a power vacuum that nurtures the growth of populist and inefficient leaders.
There is nobody in Brasilia today with the legitimacy to make the necessary decisions; all major policy choices are postponed. That is why real political reform is the first priority. Brazil's citizens, the Mercosur pact, and the region as a whole, cannot grow without a growing Brazil.
(AP photo)
