Jordy’s candidacy in Niterói is maintained, says PL leader

Asked about the political future of deputy Carlos Jordy (PL-RJ), the president of the PL in Rio de Janeiro, federal deputy Altineu Côrtes (PL-RJ), stated that the supporter is retained for the race for mayor of Niterói this year. Jordy was the target of the new phase of Operation Lesa Pátria, launched by the Federal Police (PF), on Thursday (18). Federal police officers searched the Chamber of Deputies and addresses linked to the parliamentarian in the Federal District and Rio de Janeiro.

“His candidacy is maintained. He is in a very strong political game, he represents the right and we are making alliances. We will be an alternative to this left-wing candidacy in the municipality”, said Côrtes.

The leader of the opposition in the Chamber of Deputies is appointed by deputy attorney Carlos Frederico Santos, from the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), as a member of the “nucleus of financiers and instigators” of the acts of January 8, 2023 that led to the invasion and depredation of the headquarters of the Three Powers, in Brasília.

Jordy denied the accusations and said that this is an “evidence search” by Justice against those who “oppose the PT government or criticize the actions of the Federal Supreme Court (STF)”.

When commenting on the case, Côrtes criticized the operation authorized by Minister Alexandre de Moraes and said that this type of action does not contribute to “harmony” between the powers of the Republic.

“It is a situation that greatly weakens the relationship between the powers. I think it goes beyond the issue of Representative Jordy. I am an enthusiast for harmony between powers and I think Brazil needs this. But this type of action does not help to harmonize this situation. Especially with searches and seizures at homes and deputies’ offices,” he said.

The president of the PL in Rio de Janeiro also said that he spoke with the president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL) about the matter, but said that he should only make a statement when he returns from the parliamentary recess. “The president [da Câmara, Arthur Lira,] I was quite indignant”, said Altineu Côrtes.

Opposition demands Lira and Pacheco’s position on the operation against Jordy

Opposition parliamentarians met in the Chamber of Deputies, this Wednesday (24), to define actions against excesses by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) in relation to inquiries that investigate politicians with privileged jurisdiction. The meeting took place a week after Operation Lesa Pátria, authorized by the Supreme Court, which targeted the opposition leader, Carlos Jordy (PL-RJ).

In addition to defining new opposition strategies in this year’s legislature, parliamentarians announced that Carlos Jordy will be reappointed as opposition leader. The announcement was made during the press conference, after deputy Filipe Barros (PL-PR) gave up his post this year.

During a press conference, they repudiated the PF’s “abusive search and seizure” at Jordy’s house and called for an offensive from the presidents of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), and the Federal Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG) against the STF. Both did not take a position after the operation against the opposition leader.

“We are here against abuses of authority and blatant disrespect for the Constitution. We understand that the PF operation was an attack not only on Jordy, but an attack on the opposition and the entire Parliament. Democracy is bleeding in Brazil. The accusations against Jordy cannot be sustained”, said Marcel van Hattem (Novo-RS).

The opposition leader in the Senate, Rogério Marinho (PL-RN), demanded balance between the Powers. “What is happening is very serious. We will define an institutional agenda to preserve and strengthen prerogatives in the Brazilian Parliament. There is an evident hypertrophy of power over the Legislature. We want to discuss the prerogatives and balance necessary for the powers of the Republic,” he stated.

Lira was invited to participate in the meeting with the opposition, but did not attend due to being on a trip abroad. At the press conference, the vice-president of the Chamber, Sóstenes Cavalcante (PL-RJ), criticized the imbalance between the powers and demanded “democratic order so that Congress is not disrespected by another power”.

“What happened is regrettable. We will seek out other leaders, of opposition and situation, to demand respect for deputies, their environments and their dependencies. I’m sure the episode [cumprimento de mandado contra Carlos Jordy] will end this situation and we will put a limit on everything that is happening, mainly with the help of presidents Lira and Pacheco, who will not fail with the National Congress”, he said.

One of the opposition’s priorities is the installation of the CPI on Abuse of Authority to investigate excesses committed by ministers of the STF and the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). The required number of signatures to open the CPI was reached at the end of last year, when the request was filed with the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Deputies, but the installation of the CPI has not yet occurred.