The big difference with Pix amendments is the simplicity and speed with which they transfer funds. Unlike traditional amendments, which require the formalization of agreements between the federal government and beneficiaries, Pix amendments transfer funds directly to the accounts of states and municipalities.
This accelerated process is possible because, in Congress's understanding, Pix amendments function as a type of "donation", where the money, once transferred, becomes the property of the federative entity in its entirety , without the need for advance accountability.
This feature makes Pix amendments an attractive tool for guatemala mobile database parliamentarians, who can ensure the rapid allocation of resources to their electoral bases, especially in periods close to elections . However, this same agility that facilitates the execution of projects is also the main point of criticism of the mechanism, due to the lack of transparency associated with it.
Debate on the transparency of Pix amendments
Since their creation, Pix amendments have been the target of criticism, mainly related to the lack of transparency and traceability of resources. One of the main problems highlighted is that, although parliamentarians can include information about the destination and purpose of the resources, most do not do so.
According to a report by the NGO Transparência Brasil, less than 1% of the registered amendments correctly detail where and how the money will be spent . This lack of information makes it difficult to exercise social and institutional control over the use of resources, generating concerns about compliance with the constitutional rules governing budget execution.
Photo of parliamentarians in a plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies
Image of the Chamber of Deputies by Mário Agra
These concerns led the Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) to intervene. In early August of this year, Justice Flávio Dino ordered the suspension of Pix amendments , claiming that the lack of transparency in this type of transfer violated constitutional principles. In addition to Pix amendments, the suspension also affected individual and bench mandatory amendments, until Congress establishes clear rules for the traceability and transparency of these resources.