Múcio defends that military personnel must leave the Force to enter politics

The Minister of Defense, José Múcio, defended that the military, in order to enter politics, must first end their careers. In the minister’s evaluation, involvement with politics harms two fundamental aspects for the Armed Forces, discipline and hierarchy. According to him, the government will present a project that moves in this direction, “where the military and political question would be absolutely separated, with all due respect to both activities”. The statements were made at the Senate Foreign Relations and National Defense Committee. “Any soldier who is willing to enter politics, with success or failure, he could not return to the Armed Forces. That’s because experience says: those who are unsuccessful in politics come back to prepare for the new election, with political proselytism. Then they create political groups and start campaigning within their own forces, undermining the shielding of two very important vectors in the Armed Forces, which are discipline and hierarchy,” he said. The minister said that the project will still be discussed. During the audience, Múcio praised the changes that have been observed in the military environment, in the sense of moving away from politics. According to him, the performances of the Forces have been “commendable, in the last episodes we have experienced”. “We are not going to discuss the episodes, but there was not a single demonstration by anyone from the Armed Forces. Senators and those present here for many months have not seen a note in the newspaper; a note on social media; a disclaimer note; or a note of protest. I think that the Armed Forces today play the role that Brazilian society wants,” he said. Taking advantage of the presence of the commanders of the three forces, Múcio said that he is “very proud of what we are”, but that he is also “very concerned about what we need to be”, and that is why it is essential to increase the country’s military budget. “We invest 1.1% of our budget in defense. To give you an idea, Colombia invests 3.6%; Ecuador, just over 2%; and Uruguay, 2%. I do not see the defense industry as a final product, but as the fastest generation for job creation”, defended the minister. He added that Brazil already has enough structure to profit from this sector, which generates jobs, foreign exchange, taxes and technological development. “Today, if we want to manufacture a new submarine, the shipyard is ready. If you want to buy one more plane, the factories are ready. We need to work to foster the Brazilian defense industry, which has made a lot of progress, ”he argued.

Agência Brasil