Brazil's separation of powers explored in new documentary

The documentary ‘A Crise dos Três Poderes’ (The Crisis of the Three Powers), produced by Brasil Paralelo, will be made available for free on its application this weekend. Produced in 2022, the film investigates the historical construction of the Brazilian state and the tensions between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches in Brasília.

The production features interviews with over 25 figures, including former presidents, former Supreme Federal Court ministers, and legal scholars such as Michel Temer, Ayres Britto, Nelson Jobim, Ives Gandra Martins, Janaína Paschoal, and Bolívar Lamounier. The documentary explores the boundaries of authority between the different branches of government.

In the context of presidential functions, the Brazilian Constitution defines the roles of the President of the Republic under Article 84. These duties include directing the federal public administration, sanctioning or vetoing laws passed by Congress, commanding the Armed Forces, issuing decrees, conducting foreign relations, and executing the federal budget.