Centrão charges ministries after approving tax reform in the Chamber

After the recent approval of the much-debated tax reform in the Chamber of Deputies, the Centrão parties charge ministerial positions in return for decisive political support during the approval process. The turmoil behind the political scenes in Brasília reflects the power negotiations. The ministries most targeted at the moment are Social Development (responsible for the Bolsa Família programme), Tourism and Sports.

Centrão is part of the superblock formed in the Chamber by the PP of President Arthur Lira (AL), União Brasil, PDT, PSB, Avante, Solidariedade, Patriota and by the PSDB-Cidadania federation; the group wants greater participation in the Lula government, as a way of guaranteeing the implementation of its guidelines and interests.

The bloc maintains that support for tax reform, considered crucial for the country, deserves adequate compensation in terms of power and influence. After all, of the 382 votes in favor of the reform, 148 came from these parties.

The Centrão parties, more to the center and to the right, form the so-called “base” of government support, and have a long tradition of political bargaining and negotiations to guarantee benefits for their bases. By pressing for the appointment of ministers and the occupation of strategic positions, they seek to strengthen their political position and influence within the government, with greater decision-making capacity over policies and resources.

Although they are criticized for the practice of distributing positions based on political agreements, Centrão’s defenders argue that this is a reality of Brazilian politics and a way of guaranteeing governance. They point out that the government coalition is composed of different political forces and that the composition of ministries reflects this diversity.

PP wants the same prestige as União Brasil and covets Social Development portfolio

According to congressman José Nelto (PP-GO), one of the vice-leaders of the bloc, since the transition of government his party, Progressistas, has been fundamental for Lula’s governance and, therefore, nothing more natural that it has names in ministries. “We are supporting Brazil and helping with reforms. The PP wants to have the same space as União Brasil”, warns the deputy.

For Nelto, in the country’s current situation, there is no middle ground, “either become a government or become an opposition”, he says. The deputy assumes that the party covets the Ministry of Social Development, now commanded by PT’s Wellington Dias, a friend of Lula, and responsible for one of the most important programs of the current administration, Bolsa Família.

According to the deputy, if the party is to indicate a name for the ministry, nothing more natural than the leader in the Chamber, deputy André Fufuca (PP-MA). A deputy from União Brasil, who preferred not to be identified, told the People’s Gazette that Fufuca’s name is already taken for granted in the corridors of the Chamber.

Union pressured with the postponement of the reform and should stay with the Ministry of Tourism

União Brasil also wins in the mini-reform, with the much-announced exchange of Minister of Tourism Daniela Carvalho for Celso Sabino (União-PA).

Hours before the approval of the tax reform, the party even released a note asking for the postponement of the vote, but everything was immediately resolved with the announcement of the replacement in the Tourism portfolio. A party lawmaker told the People’s Gazetteamid the hubbub of a change of position around the reform, which had already been resolved.

Sport should leave the hands of Ana Moser in a mess in the ministries after reform

Another parliamentarian from Centrão, from the Republicans asked for anonymity but told the report that everything is being aligned by the parties and should be released in the coming days. According to him, the change in the Ministry of Sport, of Ana Moser, is also certain. Silvio Costa Filho (Republicanos-PE), should join the personal quota of Lula’s ministries. According to the parliamentarian heard by the People’s Gazettethis replacement is natural, since you already have these parties voting with the government, and the ministry will consolidate this partnership.

The alliance, however, should be restricted to voting on important issues for Brazil. According to the Republican parliamentarian, if the government tries to count on support for customary or ideological guidelines, it will not be able to win, in view of the center and center-right profile of the current Congress.

Still according to this same source, the replacement of PT candidate Wellington Dias, who received support even from the first lady Janja da Silva recently, will not be an “obstacle”. Also because, according to the deputy, Dias would have already expressed a desire to return to the Senate, where he has a mandate until 2031.

Caixa Econômica and Embratur also join the account of ministries for their support for the reform

In addition to the ministries, the presidency of Caixa Econômica Federal and Embratur would also be in the sights of the centrão parties, but there are no defined names. Sought by Gazeta do Povo, the president of the Republicans, deputy Marcos Pereira (SP), said that “the Republicans will not appoint any affiliate to the ministry”.

The debate around the old practice of “take it for granted” also raises questions about meritocracy and the technical capacity of nominees. Some experts argue that the appointment of ministers should be based on criteria of competence and experience, rather than simply serving as a political bargaining chip.

Bargaining for office is an old practice in politics.

For the director general of the think tank Ranking dos Politicos, Juan Carlos Gonçalves, “the appetite for public office can vary depending on the political circumstances, negotiations and individual interests of the parties and leaders involved”.

Historically, according to the analyst, “Centrão has been known for seeking government concessions in exchange for favorable votes on crucial issues in the National Congress. These concessions may include the appointment of members of the parties or allies to positions in ministries, state-owned companies or public bodies’.

“However, it is important to note that job appetites can change over time, depending on political negotiations, government stability and other variables. The search for positions is not exclusive to Centrão, but a common practice in several political coalitions around the world’, says the director of the Ranking of Politicians.

The political scientist Cristiano Noronha, from Arko Advice, assesses that the negotiation around positions in the Lula government may take a little longer. According to him, it is a fact that the government knows it needs to expand its base in Congress, but “it will have to be well-negotiated, the portfolio is strategic, it includes Bolsa Família, I don’t know if it will be in those terms”, he warns.

“I think that the expansion of space, even at ministerial level for the Centrão parties, will happen. Minister Alexandre Padilha himself signaled, but I think this week will be one of articulation”, completes the Arko Advice analyst.

As the negotiations continue behind the scenes, the society closely follows the development of the ministerial exchanges. Tax reform, a demand recognized as necessary to boost the economy, now seems to be intertwined with the political interests of the Centrão parties. It remains to be seen to what extent these demands will be met and how this will be reflected in the political scenario and in the development of the country.