Ciro Nogueira says it is necessary to turn the page in the relationship with the Judiciary

The national president of Progressistas, senator Ciro Nogueira, from Piauí, has adopted a moderate tone regarding the relationship between the National Congress and the Federal Supreme Court (STF), dominated by tension and mutual accusations, and stated that it is necessary to resolve this situation and “turn the page”.

It was Ciro Nogueira who led the transition from the government of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) to that of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), following the results of the polls in 2022. The then Minister of the Civil House was chosen by the former president himself to articulate the change of management with the president-elect’s team in 2022, working alongside vice Geraldo Alckmin (PSB), responsible for taking stock of the government’s situation at the time.

Ciro Nogueira took charge of the transition after Bolsonaro avoided talking about the defeat at the polls, but did not comment, at the time, on the emotional state of the then president, who retreated to Planalto. The senator elected by Piauí was fundamental in strengthening Bolsonaro’s relations with the so-called Centrão group, part of the allied base in the National Congress.

Ciro Nogueira received the People’s Gazette in his office for a conversation and was asked about the constant jabs between parliamentarians and STF ministers. He argued that it is time to stop the discussions and try to change the course of things. “It’s not good for anyone, neither the right nor the left,” said the senator on the topic.

“I will always work for pacification, I have enormous respect for the ministers of the Supreme Court”, guaranteed the senator, who, at the same time, admitted that there is a certain “excess of protagonism” on the part of the members of the STF. “Minister speaking outside the records, minister speaking on a platform, I think these are mistakes, but they are all human,” he added.

The name of Senator Ciro Nogueira, former minister of Jair Bolsonaro’s Civil House, has been highlighted in recent days in the national media precisely because of an issue linked to this topic. Nogueira was mentioned by Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro’s former aide-de-camp, in leaked audios about a statement given to the Federal Police. On the occasion, the lieutenant colonel spoke about a meeting that would have been promoted by the president of Progressistas, in his apartment in Brasília, between Bolsonaro and minister Alexandre de Moraes.

The senator, however, said that “there is zero chance of talking about this issue”, avoiding comment. Ciro Nogueira said that he has been approached by several vehicles to confirm the “such” meeting, and that he prefers not to discuss the topic.

Still regarding the allegations against Bolsonaro in relation to an alleged attempted coup d’état, Ciro Nogueira denied having seen or known of any document, the so-called “coup draft”, which would have been presented by Bolsonaro to try to prevent the inauguration of Squid. “I would reject any situation like this,” said the senator.

Bolsonaro continues to be a great leader, says Ciro Nogueira

Even with the allegations against former president Jair Bolsonaro, from tampering with vaccination cards to the alleged coup attempt, investigated in inquiries at the Federal Supreme Court, senator Ciro Nogueira believes that the former president’s leadership is undeniable. in national politics.

“With all the accusations, with everything that is happening, it was the first time that Bolsonaro was ahead of Lula in the poll,” said Nogueira.

The senator was referring to the survey released by the Instituto Paraná Pesquisas, in which Bolsonaro has 41.7% of voting intentions against 41.6% for Lula, in the scenario with just the two running and in which the names are presented to the respondents (encouraged ). Bolsonaro and Lula are technically tied within the poll’s margin of error, which is 2.2 percentage points, on average, with a confidence index of 95%. Paraná Pesquisas interviewed 2,024 voters in person from 162 municipalities in 26 states and the Federal District between March 18th and 22nd.

“Anyone who has Bolsonaro’s support comes out ahead”, said the senator, regarding the former president’s role in politics, and to pre-candidates who may have the support of the former president, such as the governors of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas; from Goiás, Ronaldo Caiado; from Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema; and from Paraná, Carlos Massa Ratinho Júnior, cited as possible successors to Bolsonaro in the 2026 elections.

Regardless of who it is, according to the president of Progressistas, the candidate who has Jair Bolsonaro’s “yes” will come out ahead in the dispute. And the influence extends to Michelle Bolsonaro, he says. Michelle, president of PL Mulher, has been gaining more and more space in national politics, and could run as a candidate for the Senate in the Federal District.

According to the aforementioned survey by Paraná Pesquisas, with the support of Bolsonaro, if she were to run for President of the Republic today, Michele would also technically be tied with Lula.

“Beyond the attacks and scandalous headlines, there is the truth. And the truth is that Brazilians will always be on the right side of history. Michelle Bolsonaro is technically tied with Lula, and the margin for growth is large”, the senator published on the networks when commenting on the results of the survey.

Despite the numbers, the former first lady’s political destiny, before trying for Palácio do Planalto, should really be a seat in the Federal Senate. According to the Paraná Research Institute, in a dispute to reach the Planalto Palace with current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Michelle Bolsonaro would have 43.4% of voting intentions; against 44.5% for Lula. According to the research, the two are technically tied within the margin of error, which is 2.2 percentage points.

Nogueira believes that Pacheco will not proceed with attempts to limit the powers of the STF

Still on the elections, the senator said that it is important to advance the discussion of the Electoral Code, under discussion in the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ), which consolidates current legislation and establishes, for example, a four-year quarantine for members of some careers, such as military, police and judges, who wish to enter politics. Regarding this period, specifically, the senator believes that the rule may be exaggerated, and the deadline could be re-discussed.

For Nogueira, it is also necessary to re-discuss the issue of the possibility of re-election, as well as the coincidence of mandates, which is not good for politics.

Regarding agendas coveted by center and right-wing parties, such as limiting the powers of ministers of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), the end of the privileged forum and even a request for impeachment of President Lula, Ciro Nogueira said that “at this current moment it is impossible”. For the senator, there is no interest from the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG). According to him, these themes may be able to advance in the next legislature.

Another topic that the senator, minority leader in the Federal Senate, believes should be left for the next legislature, as there is no agreement among congressmen at the moment, is a possible amnesty for prisoners accused of participating in January 8, 2023. Ciro Nogueira considered that the sentences were too “harsh” in some cases.

Center and right-wing parties will emerge stronger from the elections, says Ciro Nogueira

President of Progressistas, Ciro Nogueira stated that the party has grown since the last municipal elections, mainly in the North and Central-West, and should repeat its performance in the October 2024 elections. According to him, the expectation is that centrist and right-wing emerge once again on the national scene, with emphasis on MDB, PSD, and PL, in addition to the PP.

He also opined that the left, specifically the Workers’ Party (PT), will suffer a major defeat in the municipalities. “They [o PT] They are not going to make a mayor of the capital in Brazil. The only place that was a favorite and is no longer is São Paulo”, he pointed out. Without its own candidacy in the capital of São Paulo, the PT supports Guilherme Boulos, from Psol.

Regarding the possible alliance between centrist parties, in a partnership between PP, União Brasil and perhaps Republicans, an alliance that would make Centrão even stronger in Congress, Ciro Nogueira said that nothing has been agreed yet, despite the matter being under discussion. But if the agreement comes to fruition, according to the senator, it will only be for 2026.

Regarding the national political scenario and what is at stake for 2026, Ciro Nogueira is emphatic in stating that today’s polarization between right and left will continue. “As long as Bolsonaro and Lula were there, it continues.” This is because, in the senator’s assessment, the electoral strength of both is impressive. For Nogueira, as long as they are in politics, there is no room for others, nor for a possible third way.