The legitimacy of Mercosul will just be complete, in the opinion of senator Geraldo Mesquita Júnior (PMDB-AC) when Brazilian society acquires greater knowledge about the integration process with neighboring countries. Recently elected president of Brazilian Representation in Mercosul Parliament, he intends to stimulate the debate about this subject in all the country.

- We need to go around and talk with entrepreneurs, workers and the organized society - said Mesquita in an interview to Agência Senado.

The senator reminded yet that in 2010 Brazilians will choose by the direct vote, for the first time, their representatives in Mercosul Parliament.

What could the Brazilian Representation do to help consolidate Mercosul?

The creation of the Brazilian Representation means firstly the simplification of the legislative procedures to approve bills on the interest of Brazil in Mercosul. Before, these bills used to go to many committees and now will usually go to our committee and exceptionally to other ones. It makes the process easier. I see the Parliament of Mercosul as an important instrument of deepening the integration process and I believe that it could give an expressive contribution to this process, that is very centralized in economic question nowadays.

How could this be done?

The Parliament will have mechanisms of popular consultation, like public hearings where many subjects will be discussed. It can turn into a resonance box to societies of the involved countries and give a more intense focus to the policies and socials questions.

What could be done, in Brazil, to amplify the debate about the integration process?

A good part of Brazilian population knows something about Mercosul, and it happens because they are part of this integration problem. Recently, for example, the Council of Mercosul approved a rise in tariffs to the importat of footwear. This import has a huge impact in some regions, just as Vale dos Sinos, in Rio Grande do Sul, where the industries had deep losses and millions of employees have been fired because of unfair competition. In other countries there is the same problem. So, a big part of Brazilians know about Mercosul, but the great majority do not. I understand that, in medium and long term, Mercosul will only justify itself, in the point of view of Brazil, if the population, as a whole, understands the meaning of it.

How to get this situation?

We need to go around and talk with entrepreneurs, employees, organized society, the academy. I have also provoked my colleagues about this subject. In 2010, for example, Brazil will elect deputies of Mercosul Parliament by direct vote. How will this happen? In current world, globalized and “blocalized”, do we have any chance alone? I do not believe.

In your opinion, without the popularization of the debate is there no consolidation of Mercosul?

Mercosul is lacking a little of legitimacy. The parliament lends some legitimacy to the process. The bureaucracy of Mercosul has certain legitimacy, but the legitimacy just will be complete when Brazilian people understand what it is happening.