Deputy Jhonatan de Jesus (Republicanos-RR) was nominated for the vacancy of minister of the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU)| Photo: Billy Boss/House of Representatives.

The Chamber of Deputies approved this Thursday (2) the nomination of deputy Jhonatan de Jesus (Republicanos-RR) for the vacancy of Minister of the Federal Audit Court (TCU) with 239 votes. If his name is confirmed, he will replace minister Ana Arraes, who retired last year. Former deputy Fábio Ramalho (MDB-MG) had 174 votes and deputy Soraya Santos (PL-RJ), 75.

The nomination will be turned into a draft legislative decree and sent to the Senate, Agência Câmara reported. To be approved, the nomination required a simple majority in a secret ballot. “No one under my guidance will be condemned based on the interests of groups or people who want to transform the TCU into an arena for the political persecution of opponents”, said Jhonatan de Jesus.

The deputy’s nomination was supported by seven parties: MDB, PDT, Podemos, PP, PSB, PSD and União Brasil; and two federations: PSDB-Cidadania and PT-PCdoB-PV. Son of senator Mecias de Jesus (Republicanos-RR), Jhonatan is in his fourth term as deputy. The TCU is made up of nine ministers, with six chosen by the National Congress and three by the President of the Republic. The Senate needs to endorse the nominations.