Opinion, by Michael Royster
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Brazil's biggest problem is that, institutionally, it’s living a lie. The 1988 Constitution created an essentially parliamentary system with many institutional features that do not belong to a presidential one. For starters, there are now 35 registered political parties, none of which stands for anything other than getting elected and feeding at the public trough.
There isn’t even a minimal vote requirement for parties (which are private entities) to receive public campaign funds. There are "suplentes" or substitutes for legislators who take executive positions, but who can . . .
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