🔥 15 Years of Brazil’s Clean Record Law: A Popular Victory
Full Article in English
Origins and Historical Landmark
The Complementary Law No. 135/2010, known as the Clean Record Law (CRL), was enacted on June 4, 2010, after strong popular mobilization.
The bill, promoted by the Movement to Combat Electoral Corruption (MCCE), gathered more than 1.5 million signatures across the country.
This represented one of the greatest examples of popular initiative in the Brazilian Congress.
The law came into effect in the 2012 Municipal Elections, with its first concrete application in that plebiscite. In general elections, it was first applied in 2014.
Key Innovations
- Ethical filter: It strengthened the previous Law of Ineligibility (LC 64/1990), establishing stricter criteria to bar unsuitable candidacies.
- Expanded ineligibility: It created 14 grounds for disqualification, such as conviction for abuse of power, electoral corruption, administrative misconduct, illicit enrichment, rejection of public accounts, among others.
- Extended period: Before, ineligibility lasted up to 3 years; under CRL, it can reach 16 years in the case of senators (8-year mandate + 8 years of ineligibility).
- Collegiate decision: A final conviction is no longer required — a conviction by a collegiate judicial body is enough to trigger ineligibility.
Practical Impact Over the Years
- Between 2012 and 2024, the CRL prevented more than 6,000 people from running for office due to ineligibility.
- A CNN Brasil survey based on TSE data indicates that around 5,000 candidacies were barred between 2014 and 2024, representing over 8% of almost 60,000 registered candidates.
- Political scientist Arthur Leandro emphasizes that the law changed the behavior of parties and candidates, to the point where many now promote their “clean record” as an electoral advantage.
Symbolic and Social Meaning
The CRL became a symbol of citizen participation in Brazilian politics. Senator Paulo Paim (PT-RS) said it was born “from the strength of popular participation” and represented a victory against impunity. Congressman Luiz Couto (PT-PB) affirmed that the law raised “the ethical standards of politics.”
Current Challenges and Possible Rollbacks
Currently, Congress is debating bills that seek to standardize ineligibility terms, limiting them to 8 years. Critics warn this could weaken the law’s effectiveness.
Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE) said such proposals may “practically annihilate” the CRL, while rapporteur Marcelo Castro (MDB-PI) argues they represent an “improvement.”
Former judge Márlon Reis, one of the creators of the law, strongly criticizes these initiatives, stating:
“Everyone proposing so-called ‘enhancements’ actually wants to reduce its effectiveness.”
Despite its advances, Brazil remains among the worst in global corruption perception indexes, showing that legislation alone cannot eradicate corrupt practices.
Conclusion
At 15 years old, the Clean Record Law remains one of the most significant achievements of civil society in building a more responsible democracy in Brazil.
It introduced fundamental filters to bar convicted candidates and raised the debate on ethics in politics.
However, ongoing political proposals and polarization threaten its effectiveness and continuity.
The CRL continues to stand as both an inspiration of social mobilization and a reminder that citizen engagement and constant vigilance are essential to preserving democratic and ethical progress.
✨ Comment: “Everything is possible for the one who believes.”
Extended URLs (sources used)
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Senado Federal – 15 years of the Clean Record Law
🔗 https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/materias/2025/06/02/lei-da-ficha-limpa-completa-15-anos -
Câmara dos Deputados – Report on the 15th anniversary
🔗 https://www.camara.leg.br/noticias/1165108-lei-da-ficha-limpa-completa-15-anos-em-junho -
Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE) – History and application
🔗 https://www.tse.jus.br/comunicacao/noticias/2025/Junho/lei-da-ficha-limpa-completa-15-anos -
Tribunal Regional Eleitoral de Santa Catarina
🔗 https://www.tre-sc.jus.br/comunicacao/noticias/2025/Junho/lei-da-ficha-limpa-completa-15-anos -
MCCE – Clean Record Law as a historic achievement
🔗 https://www.mcce.org.br/noticias/lei-da-ficha-limpa-completa-15-anos-uma-conquista-historica-da-sociedade-pela-integridade-na-politica -
Folha de S. Paulo – Critical perspectives and disputes over legacy
🔗 https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2025/06/lei-da-ficha-limpa-completa-15-anos-com-legado-sob-disputa.shtml -
JC Online – Symbol of anti-corruption and ongoing reform debates
🔗 https://jc.uol.com.br/politica/2025/06/04/lei-da-ficha-limpa-completa-15-anos-como-simbolo-do-combate-a-corrupcao-e-alvo-de-propostas-de-mudanca.html -
Abradep – Analysis of achievements and distortions
🔗 https://abradep.org/midias/ficha-limpa-15-anos-depois-uma-lei-entre-a-moral-e-a-distorcao
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