Lewandowski tells Dino that he should exchange strategic positions – 01/23/2024 – Power

The first dinner between Flávio Dino and his successor at the Ministry of Justice, Ricardo Lewandowski, had a pleasant atmosphere and conversations on various topics related to the department, such as the GLO (Guarantee of Law and Order) decree in Rio de Janeiro.

The meeting took place on Monday night (22). At the time, Lewandowski told Dino that he should keep a good part of his team, but that he should change positions considered strategic, such as the National Secretariat of Justice, currently occupied by Augusto de Arruda Botelho.

According to people close to him, the future Minister of Justice is studying the profile of a woman to fill the position.

Lewandowski has already decided to change the executive secretary of the department, which will be occupied by Manoel Carlos de Almeida. The retired minister of the STF (Federal Supreme Court) also chose prosecutor Mário Luiz Sarrubbo for the National Public Security Secretariat, one of the most sensitive in the body. Sarrubbo will replace Tadeu Alencar.

If Botelho’s change is confirmed, the PSB will lose the main structures it occupies in the ministry.

Still at dinner, Lewandowski praised Dino’s team and management at the head of the department, saying that the two share similar worldviews and that the transition will occur naturally. He also stated that he intends to continue the department’s policies.

A person close to the ministers said that Dino was generous in his explanation, pointing out challenges and problems in the ministry. The two also talked about indigenous issues and public safety.

Flávio Dino, Ricardo Lewandowski, the department’s deputy executive secretary, Diego Galdino, and Manoel Carlos participated in the dinner.

This Tuesday afternoon, the first official meeting will take place to talk about the transition in the Ministry of Justice and Public Affairs.

Lewandowski’s name to replace Dino was announced on January 11 by President Lula (PT).

This Monday (22), in the Official Gazette of the Union, Lula made official the appointment of Ricardo Lewandowski to command the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, starting on February 1st.

Dino will remain in government until the 30th, to lead the transition. He will leave the portfolio to take up a seat at the Supreme Court. His name was discussed and approved by the Senate plenary last December

Lula stated that Lewandowski will have the freedom to choose his team.

Lewandowski left the STF last April, upon turning 75 — the maximum age for court ministers. He was replaced at the time by Lula’s lawyer, Cristiano Zanin.

The jurist was appointed to the Supreme Court by Lula himself, in 2006. He headed the court from 2014 to 2016, having even presided over the impeachment trial of then president Dilma Rousseff (PT).

Lewandowski was always seen as the only STF minister who remained faithful to the PT even in the worst moments, such as at the height of Operation Lava Jato, while others nominated by the party to the court gave unfavorable decisions to the party and made nods to the right during this period.

When he presided over the impeachment trial of former president Dilma Rousseff (PT) in the Senate, he approved a regimental maneuver that split the vote.

He allowed a separate vote on Dilma’s loss of office and disqualification from holding public office for eight years. The Senate rejected the disqualification, maintaining the PT member’s political rights.

As a result, despite having to leave the Presidency of the Republic, Dilma was not prevented from exercising political activity — and was able, for example, to run for the Senate in 2018.

In the Mensalão trial, he voted to acquit former minister José Dirceu and former PT president José Genoino, but his vote was unsuccessful.