Christians become “target audience” of Dino’s campaign to the STF

To ensure confirmation of his nomination for a vacancy on the Federal Supreme Court (STF), the Minister of Justice, Flávio Dino (PSB), has concentrated his last efforts on deconstructing the “communist” image. He needs the support of at least 41 senators, in a secret vote in the plenary, on Wednesday (13).

The long-term activism in the PCdoB and the defense of issues dear to the left, especially internet regulation, have been pointed out by the opposition as justifications for rejecting the minister’s visit to the STF. This was, in fact, the most highlighted message by the protesters who took to the streets on Sunday (10) to protest against him.

As a counterpoint to these criticisms, Dino has promised in interviews and visits to senators in their offices to abandon his political profile after “putting on the toga”. He has also praised his status as a “practicing Catholic”.

Not by chance, the minister met with religious people, last Friday (8), at the headquarters of the National Confederation of Brazilian Bishops (CNBB), in Brasília. They indicated their hope for confirmation of Dino’s name to the STF. The meeting, mediated by Dom Jaime Spengler, archbishop of Porto Alegre and president of the CNBB, was released in a video on Dino’s social networks, which highlighted Christian symbols and speeches and gestures of support from bishops.

Elected senator for Maranhão in the 2022 election, Dino took a leave of absence to take on the role of Minister of Justice. At the end of November, after two months of speculation, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) made the nomination for the vacancy opened by the retirement of Minister Rosa Weber.

At a fast pace, Senator Weverton Rocha (PDT-MA), a fellow countryman and ally of Dino, read on Wednesday (6), at the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ), the report in favor of the nomination. If Dino is approved in the CCJ hearing next Wednesday, there will be a vote at night in the Senate plenary. The rapporteur estimates approval with more than 50 votes.

The government leader in Congress, senator Randolfe Rodrigues (no party-AP), stated that he was convinced of Dino’s approval with a vote above 50 votes in favor. In any case, he has been working behind the scenes to convince so-called undecided senators to vote in favor of the minister, together with senator Eliziane Gama (PSD-MA), who is working to bridge the gap with the Evangelical Front, where there is more resistance.

Since last week, she has been trying to schedule a meeting for the nominee with the group of 15 senators from that group, which also includes Catholics. Personal commitment to Dino’s approval has also been seen with President Lula himself and by ministers of the STF, with emphasis on Gilmar Mendes, who has already publicly praised the Justice Minister’s CV.

Said undecided senators tend to vote for Dino

On the internet scoreboard created by the opposition (comovotasenador.com.br) to monitor voting on Dino’s nomination, 41 senators are still undefined, without declaring their position. The tendency, however, is for more than half of these to join the 15 who have already declared support for the minister. Another 25 expressed their rejection of Dino’s name for the Supreme Court.

From the tribune or on social media, senators reacted promptly to the Justice Minister’s nomination with the same tone. For Hamilton Mourão (Republicanos-RS), Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), Cleitinho (Republicanos-MG), Jorge Seif (PL-SC), Magno Malta (PL-ES), Magno Malta (PL-ES), Luís Carlos Heinze (PP-RS) and Izalci Lucas (PSDB-DF), Lula’s nominee goes against the wishes of the majority of the population.

In addition to the ideological profile and connections with the government, Heinze questioned the omissions of the Minister of Justice during the events of January 8, his effort to hide evidence of this behavior and his articulation together with ministers of the STF, aiming to integrate the Court and possibly chase rivals.

Magno Malta (PL-ES) warned that he will not welcome Dino into his office, and stated that he does not believe in a change in the minister’s stance upon taking up the post at the STF. “The Senate needs to reject this nomination,” he said.

Dino is the first senator appointed to the STF since 1994. If approved, he will join 12 other Supreme Court justices who also sat in the Senate. Before him, the last senator appointed was Maurício Corrêa (1934-2012), elected by the Federal District and appointed by former president Itamar Franco.

Gonet sees a clear path for the PGR

As shown in the People’s Gazette, deputy attorney Paulo Gonet, appointed by Lula to head the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), has already convinced the opposition that the focus in the hearing should fall on Dino, with the toughest questions and the articulation for his name to be rejected . There will be no effort to wear down Gonet’s nomination.

Gonet is close to Gilmar Mendes and Alexandre de Moraes and can expect easy approval. He has been well received by the opposition. He counts in his favor the fact that he was also considered by former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), in 2019, for the PGR. In political circles, the deputy prosecutor is seen as someone moderate and friendly. His biggest opponents are on the left, who consider him “conservative” because he is Catholic.