The president of the National Congress, senator Renan Calheiros, designated nine senators and nine federal deputies to represent Brazil at the Mercosul Parliament, which will have a inaugural session in Montevideo on Monday (7), at 5:00 PM. The official designation was read at the Plenary on Friday (27) by senator Mozarildo Cavalcanti (PTB-RR).

The indicated senators are: Sérgio Zambiasi (PTB-RS), Pedro Simon (PMDB-RS), Geraldo Mesquita Júnior (PMDB-AC), Efraim Morais (DEM-PB), Romeu Tuma (DEM-SP), Marisa Serrano (PSDB-MS), Aloizio Mercadante (PT-SP), Cristovam Buarque (PDT-DF) and Inácio Arruda (PCdoB-CE).

Senator Sérgio Zambiasi, who presided last semester the Mercosul Joint Parliamentary Committee, said that the inaugural session indicates the beginning of a new era of political, economical, social and cultural integration in South America. Designated senators and federal deputies will represent Brazil until 2010.