Agência Brasil explains: how the transition of government works

With the end of the electoral period and the definition of a new President of the Republic for the next 4 years, the transition period of governments in Brazil began. At this time, the team of the current government hands over a large amount of information on the progress of the country’s management to a team appointed by the president-elect. This information includes, for example, federal expenditures, debts and revenues.

Historical

In 2002, the then President of the Republic, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, signed a provisional measure, which was later approved by Congress and became law, with the rules for the good start of a new government. At the time, Fernando Henrique himself provided his successor with data from his administration, in a process recognized in the political arena as peaceful and civilized.

The one who received the information from the Fernando Henrique government in 2002 was exactly the one who will assume the presidency in 2023. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has already mobilized trusted names to initiate the transition. The coordination of the process prior to the inauguration is in charge of the vice-president-elect, Geraldo Alckmin.

“Our goal will be to provide President Lula, in a republican and democratic manner, with all the information necessary for his mandate, which begins on January 1, to be successful in addressing the population’s priorities,” Alckmin said on social networks.

Transition team

According to the law, the members of this team occupy temporary public positions, created precisely for the transition period. The law establishes a limit of 50 people to occupy these positions as of the second working day after the election results.

The members of the current government are obliged to provide the information requested by the coordinator of the transition team, including confidentiality, as well as to provide the necessary technical and administrative support for its work.

The chief minister of the Civil House is responsible for providing premises, infrastructure and administrative support to the president and vice-president-elect so that they can work on the transition.

The law also determines that the positions must be vacated within 10 days of the inauguration of the new president.