Flávio Arns
Brazilian politician (born 1950)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Flávio José Arns (born 9 November 1950) is a Brazilian politician and professor who serves as federal senator representing his home state of Paraná.[1] He was previously vice-governor of Paraná from 2011 to 2015, and also served in the chamber of deputies from 1991 to 2003.[2]
Flávio Arns | |
|---|---|
Arns in 2019 | |
| Senator for Paraná | |
| Assumed office 1 February 2019 | |
| In office 1 February 2003 – 1 February 2011 | |
| Vice Governor of Paraná | |
| In office 1 January 2011 – 1 January 2015 | |
| Governor | Beto Richa |
| Preceded by | Orlando Pessuti |
| Succeeded by | Cida Borghetti |
| Secretary for Strategic Affairs of Paraná | |
| In office 1 January 2015 – 8 June 2017 | |
| Governor | Beto Richa |
| Secretary of Education of Paraná | |
| In office 1 January 2011 – 3 April 2014 | |
| Governor | Beto Richa |
| Federal Deputy for Paraná | |
| In office 1 February 1991 – 31 January 2003 | |
| Director of Special Education of Paraná | |
| In office 1983–1990 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 November 1950 |
| Party | PSB (2023–present) |
Other political affiliations | |
| Profession | Educator |
Personal life
Arns was born to Osvaldo Arns and Teresinha Mohr.[2] Of German descent, he is grandson of Gabriel Arns and Helene Steiner. Brought up in a religious Catholic family, he is related to important Brazilian religious figures Zilda Arns and Paulo Evaristo Arns, being the nephew of the former and grand-cousin of the latter. He is married Odenise Teresinha Arns, with whom he had two children: Caroline Arns and Osvaldo Arns Neto.[3]
Arns graduated from Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná in 1972, and the following years graduated with a degree in law from Federal University of Paraná, where he later became professor.[2][4] In 1980 he graduated with a PhD. in Linguistics with his thesis focusing on language and behavior from Northwestern University in the United States.[5]
Political career
Arns served as director of education for individuals with special needs from 1983 to 1990.[3] He then elected to and served in the Chamber of Deputies for three consecutive terms from 1991 to 2003.[2] He then served as vice governor for Beto Richa in his home state of Paraná as well as holding various positions in the state government.[2] In the 2018 Brazilian general election Arns was one of two members from Paraná, the other being Oriovisto Guimarães, to contest elections in the national senate, where he was elected.[6] Following him taking seat in the senate he was elected vice chair of the Commission on Education, Culture and Sport.[7][8]
Arns voted against the impeachment of then-president Dilma Rousseff.[9][10]
A strong supporter of the rights of those with autism and other developmental disabilities, in September 2016 Arns was recognized by the senate of Paraná for his political activism.[11]
Arns has faced some controversy for allegedly hiring Rosangela Moro, the wife of judge Sergio Moro, as a legal adviser in 2015. Judges are prohibited to communicate with active politicians in Brazil, and Moro denied that she ever formally worked for Arns.[12]
On 31 August 2020 Arns announced that he had left the Sustainability Network and joined the Podemos party in the Brazilian senate.[13]