What if these walls could talk about South American integration? Here at the Parlamento del Mercosur in Montevideo Uruguay history whispers from every corner. This parliament known also as Parlasur stands as the parliamentary institution of the Mercosur trade bloc.
The Parlamento del Mercosur is more than just a building. It is a symbol of regional cooperation. It represents a vision of unity and shared prosperity.
Its creation traces back to 2002. It was a time of establishing bodies and procedures. These aimed to give the bloc institutionalization and political autonomy. The dream was to create a space where member states could come together. They would discuss common challenges and forge common solutions.
In 2004 the Common Market Council instructed the Joint Parliamentary Commission to write a protocol. This protocol would establish the Mercosur Parliament. The aim was to complete it by the end of 2006. The presidents of Argentina Brazil Paraguay and Uruguay signed the Constitutive Protocol on December 9 2005 creating this new body.
The Parlamento del Mercosur should have held its first session before December 31 2006. However it was only held on May 7 2007 replacing the CPC. In June 2008 the MPs held their first parliamentary session outside the Mercosur headquarters in Montevideo. It was in San Miguel de Tucumán where the XXXV Meeting of Mercosur Heads of State was held.
Initially the representatives were nominated members of the national parliaments. Their mandates expired on December 31 2010. It was expected that members of the Parlamento del Mercosur would be directly elected. Paraguay held direct elections in 2008. The first simultaneous election was expected in 2015. Now the deadline for every Mercosur member to hold direct elections was delayed to 2020.
The Parlamento del Mercosur is composed of Members of Parliament MPs. There are representatives from Argentina Bolivia Brazil Paraguay and Uruguay. Associate members like Chile Colombia Ecuador and Peru may also hold seats. However they have no voting powers.
The Parlamento del Mercosur has a unicameral structure. It holds ordinary sessions monthly in Montevideo. The Common Market Council and the parliamentarians can call extraordinary sessions. The protocol allows virtual sessions without physical presence.
Interestingly the representatives cannot be judged in the territory of the Mercosur states for their opinions and votes. This immunity ensures they can perform their duties without fear of reprisal.
So as you stand before the Parlamento del Mercosur consider the weight of its history. Think about the aspirations it embodies. It is a work in progress a testament to the enduring pursuit of regional integration in South America. The journey toward greater unity continues.