Barroso criticizes prejudice against entrepreneurs and defends the role of free enterprise

The president of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Minister Luís Roberto Barroso, returned to comment on Friday (30) and defended the role of private initiative in the economic development of the country.

The statement was made during the 2nd Brazilian Congress of Capital Market Law, held in Rio de Janeiro, in response to the criticism he received for participating in an event with the presence of IFOOD CEO Diego Barreto.

Read more: Barroso classifies as “inculture” criticism of charity dinner with IFOOD CEO

Earlier this week, Barroso was the subject of attacks for attending an organized charity dinner to raise funds from the private initiative to finance scholarships for black candidates wishing to join the judiciary.

Critics claimed that their participation in an event with entrepreneurs linked to topics on the Supreme Court would compromise the court exemption.

Without directly citing critics, the minister responded bluntly. He stated that there is, in Brazil, a prejudice rooted against entrepreneurs and against free initiative.

“There is a belief that if a company is going well and is profitable, this is negative. When, in fact, it is the profit that encourages employment, moves the economy and helps the country grow,” he said emphatically.

Barroso stressed that he is with representatives from various segments – from indigenous to parliamentarians – and that contact with entrepreneurs cannot be seen as illegitimate. “The problem is that when I talk to entrepreneurs, it becomes news.”

The minister also pointed out that major events bring together companies with competing interests, which, according to him, misrepresents any accusation of favoritism. “If I’m at an event with Bradesco and BTG, and tomorrow there is a dispute between them, I will have to declare me prevented and judge tie. This is the rule.”

Criticism of the anticapitalist view

Barroso took the speech to defend a more pragmatic view of the role of the private sector in the economy.

For him, wealth generation is better conducted by private initiative than by the state planning model. “It’s not an ideological choice, it’s a historical fact. Countries that advanced they understood that.”

He also stated that Brazilian progressive thinking needs to overcome the difficulty in dealing with free initiative.

According to the minister, the combination of market wealth generation and fair distribution via state is the most effective way to development.

Market and institutions

Barroso’s speech occurs in a context of increasing sensitivity to the limits of the relationship between the judiciary and the private sector – especially on regulatory and labor issues, such as the ongoing STF judgment on the bond between deliveries and digital platforms.

Still, the minister made a point of highlighting that his performance is supported by the principles of impartiality and transparency.