Conclusion to be drawn from the election of an extreme right-wing president in Brazil in connection with negotiations with Mercosur

6.11.2018

Question for written answer P-005633-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Emmanuel Maurel (S&D)

The Commission never ceases to proclaim that not only the EU but also its economic partnership agreements (EPAs) are based on democratic, humanist and progressive values. Our institutions voice their growing concerns about environmental challenges, among other things, and their place in EPAs — so far without, however, translating these into binding provisions.

Jair Bolsonaro, who was elected President of Brazil — Mercosur’s biggest economic power — on 28 October 2018, stands at the opposite pole to all these basic principles and guidelines.

His speeches, which are openly hostile to women, homosexuals, blacks and native populations; his politics, grounded in military force; his armed gangs carrying out intimidation, acts of violence and assassinations; and his statements on Brazil’s forthcoming withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and opening up Amazonia in its entirety for agriculture and mining are completely incompatible, in my view and that of all democrats, with the values of the European Union.

When will the Commission announce a total cessation of negotiations aimed at signing an EPA with Mercosur?

Will it state that, given this situation, no separate negotiations can take place with Brazil alone?