Ceremony marks the beginning of the term of president Alexandre Cordeiro

This Wednesday (4 August), Alexandre Cordeiro Macedo held his first hearing as president of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE). The hearing also marked the beginning of the Tribunal's agenda for the second semester of 2021. Before opening the first hearing, the new president was complimented in a ceremony that marked the beginning of his term.

In his speech, president Cordeiro emphasized the importance of CADE to the economic recovery of Brazil. "Brazil needs competitiveness and competition. We have to make the country develop economically. There is no flourishing economy if we do not have competitive enterprises with the innovative capacity to offer customers better products at reasonable prices", he declared.

Subsequently, lawyer Raquel Cândido, member of the Federal Council to the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB in its acronym in Portuguese), gave a speech on behalf of the association. "OAB celebrates your admission as president, knowing that our professional rights are preserved and that communication and transparency will prevail in the coming years", she stated.

Lauro Celidonio, president of IBRAC (the Brazilian Institute for the Study of Competition, Consumption and International Trade), highlighted the relationship the new president of CADE has with IBRAC, recalling his background within the antitrust community. "We had dozens of interactions, which were fruitful and relevant. You have always expressed willingness to dialogue with others by listening to the lawyers, economists and customers in all debates with CADE. You always showed respect to the right of the parties and the adversarial principle, in addition to making use of good judgment in the outcome of cases you handed."

Guilherme Resende, Chief Economist of CADE, emphasized that Alexandre Cordeiro has a conciliatory nature, an important characteristic for the agency's objectives. "CADE is a centre of excellence that needs to build bridges. You are the right person to build these bridges with other bodies, authorities and society as, in addition to being talented, you are capable of connecting and motivating teams."

The assistant attorney general of CADE, Rodrigo Abreu Belon Fernandes, has also emphasized the profile of the new president. "Considering your journey, we observe that you have all the attributes to maintain and lift the quality, efficiency and effectiveness level of CADE's antitrust work. You have experience and expertise in the field; you are a pragmatic person focused on results; you build good professional and personal relationships; and you are good at listening and discussing matters, which is an important feature for successful decisions and policies."

Commissioner Paula Farani, in turn, spoke on behalf of the members of the Tribunal. "We wish that your term is governed by the knowledge you acquired throughout these years at CADE and that, in four years, CADE is increasingly strengthened as an institution because of your term."

The interim superintendent general of CADE, Diogo Thompson de Andrade, mentioned the importance of maintaining the good practices of recent years. "On behalf of the technical body of CADE, I stress that what we most expect from a new term is the maintenance of conditions that allow us to continue carrying out an excellent and renowned work. We know that with you leading this agency, those conditions that make us such a notorious body will not only prevail but be improved", he stated.

The representative of the Federal Prosecution Services at CADE, Waldir Alves, also pointed out the continuity of best practices Cordeiro's term represents to the agency. "Your nomination as president indicates a commitment to continuing a good conduct of the Tribunal, which is acknowledged by the exceptional board of commissioners and servants. We are certain that you will add and contribute further to this Tribunal. The attributions of president of the tribunal demands public ability, refined technique, due diligence and hard work, characteristics that certainly will guide your work."

Nomination

Alexandre Cordeiro took office as president of CADE in 12 July 2021. He was named for the position on 30 June; and, on 5 July, the CAE (a commission for economic matters of the Brazilian Senate) held a confirmation hearing and approved his nomination. Then, on 7 July, the Senate approved the nomination.

The new president is a former commissioner of CADE and held the position of Superintendent General of the agency for two terms. As to his academic background, Cordeiro holds degrees in both Law and Economy. He is a doctoral candidate in Economic Law by the Federal University of Minas Gerais; a master in Constitutional Law by Instituto Brasiliense de Direito Público; and a postgraduate in Disciplinary Proceedings by the University of Brasilia. Cordeiro is also a career auditor of the Office of the Comptroller General of Brazil since 2006.

The new president is appointed to a four-year term.