Dino sees dispute for political spoils in Maranhão after STF – 12/09/2023 – Power

Close to leaving politics, minister Flávio Dino (PSB) gathered allies in Maranhão, made deliveries from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and is already treated as a future minister of the STF (Supreme Federal Court).

In a farewell mood, Dino chose the state to begin a national program to support municipal guards and delivered vehicles to seven municipalities on Tuesday (5), alongside Governor Carlos Brandão (PSB), his supporter.

Despite his agenda as Minister of Justice, Dino received public tributes at the local Executive headquarters for his career. Behind the scenes, he began to deal with the open dispute over his political assets in Maranhão.

According to reports, Dino signaled that Brandão should conduct the elections in the interior as he sees fit, but defended the name of federal deputy Duarte Jr. (PSB) — his former government leader in the Legislative Assembly — for the São Luís City Council.

Federal deputy Rubens Pereira Jr. (PT-MA) states that the atmosphere was “very harmonious”, with a series of praises for Dino. According to him, Brandão also took advantage of the event at Palácio dos Leões to assume leadership of the group.

“The atmosphere was great. A lot of harmony. Brandão said that he has the task of ensuring the unity of the group. That he will lead the group to remain strong. And [houve] Many compliments to Flávio Dino”, says the federal deputy.

Politicians who participated in the agendas claim that Dino avoided saying goodbye and said that he still has a list of commitments as Minister of Justice, in addition to not having been questioned by the Senate to be confirmed in the Supreme Court.

“It was a very special moment because it was the recognition of a jurist from Maranhão who is going to the Supreme Court. For all of us who are part of the political group led by him, it is a great joy and a great honor”, says Duarte Jr.

In a video released on social media, Brandão said that the country will gain a great jurist: “I want to tell you, Flávio, that we are very happy. And I hope this partnership continues. You are going to the Supreme Court, we will lose a great politician, but a great jurist will win”.

State deputy Rodrigo Lago (PC do B) also praised the former governor and shared an excerpt from the meeting on social media. He said that the people of Maranhão and Brazil praise Dino’s career and biography.

After competing with Brandão for the government of Maranhão and breaking with Dino, senator Weverton Rocha (PDT-MA), another in the dispute for political spoils, has taken advantage of the nomination report to get closer to the minister.

People close to the senator claim that he and Dino had already resumed their relationship even before the announcement about the Supreme Court and that, even though they were on opposite sides in last year’s state elections, there were never any personal attacks.

Rocha was chosen as rapporteur for the nomination by the president of the CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission) of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP) —who is a friend of his—, and, since then, he has been asking for votes for Dino.

Behind the work to guarantee the approval of the name personally chosen by Lula (PT), there is the political calculation in Weverton’s group that the public defense of a person with whom he had broken in the last elections not only strengthens future alliances, but also demonstrates greatness to the electorate.

The senator was remembered by Dino during the agendas in São Luís. The minister said that he coordinated the bench’s amendments that made it possible to purchase motorcycles for the municipal guards, and that he had called to send a hug to Brandão.

“I want to thank the federal bench in Maranhão. Senator Weverton led this security amendment that is being delivered today. And, through Senator Weverton, our entire bench has helped,” said Dino.

Dino’s alternate in the Senate, Ana Paula Lobato (PSB), and her husband, Othelino Neto (PC do B), decided to return to live in Maranhão after a season in Brasília.

Othelino also left his position as institutional representative of the state in the federal capital to resume his mandate as state deputy.

As shown by Sheetthe substitute’s husband received mayors and councilors in Congress, met with ministers on the Esplanada and accompanied Lobato even in the Senate plenary.

Othelino was president of the Legislative Assembly of Maranhão while Dino was governor, but he did not have support from Brandão to continue as head of the position after the last elections.

Lobato took office at the beginning of February, with Dino moving to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. If the minister is approved for the Supreme Court next week, she will hold the seat in the Senate until 2031.