Lira and Pacheco delay agenda against judicial activism

The silence spoke louder. After two weeks of pressure from opposition parliamentarians to react against the Federal Police (PF) operations that reached the offices of deputies, close allies of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and the former president himself, the Congress commanders decided to just wait for developments. of the facts.

As a result, oppositionists found themselves frustrated by, at least, a pause in relation to the expectation of advancing legislative proposals to contain the abuses of ministers of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), such as the proposal to establish a term of office for magistrates and the limitation of monocratic decisions – the latter already approved in the Senate.

The president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), remained silent about the judicial episodes and only expressed discomfort with the information released last week that he would be one of the potential victims of an alleged coup plot investigated by the PF. The president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), in turn, ended up “washing his hands”, declaring shortly before parading in the Rio sambadrome that Congress “could do nothing” about police operations. “It’s up to Justice”, he avoided. Finally, the congressmen’s direct and personal demands on Lira and Pacheco ended up being conveniently postponed for two weeks, thanks to the white Carnival recess.

Other positions taken by the presidents of the Chamber and Senate irritated the opposition benches not only regarding the Legislative’s inaction towards the Judiciary, but also in relation to the Executive. Although he made a tough speech upon his return to legislative activities to condemn the blocking of parliamentary amendments by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), Lira ended up meeting a day later with the President of the Republic to “seal the peace”. In addition to this, Pacheco failed to schedule the next session of Congress, in which Lula’s veto should be overturned.

Given the partnership established between the Palácio do Planalto and the STF, signed with the “exchange of ministers” between the two sides of Praça dos Três Poderes, the deepening of the connection between Lula and Pacheco also generated concern among oppositionists. This impression became clear after the Chief Executive’s visit to Belo Horizonte for an event to announce works under the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), in which the two exchanged hugs and waved at a future common platform in Minas Gerais.

Political act in SP can define the direction of the anti-STF agenda

For analysts and politicians heard by People’s Gazette, the next few weeks will be revealing about the future of Congress’s reaction to the Judiciary. Political scientist Ismael Almeida analyzes that presidents Lira and Pacheco adopted a more reserved stance in relation to the agenda of combating judicial activism driven by precaution. For him, the most cautious approach was adopted by the two to assess the impacts and consequences of the political act called by Bolsonaro for the last Sunday of the month (25th) in São Paulo, in which the former president himself and his supporters will defend in relation to investigations against him at the STF.

Almeida observes that the subsequent direction of the agenda can be significantly influenced, depending on the participation in the event and the tone of the speeches given on the sound car on Avenida Paulista. In this sense, he highlights the existence of support among government supporters for Bolsonaro to be arrested shortly after the act.

For the director of Action Consultoria, João Henrique Hummel, these public clashes between heads of Congress, opposition leaders and Planalto negotiators may not even lead to an institutional crisis. “The most certain thing is that these episodes will have an influence on disputes over succession in the Presidencies of the Chamber and Senate”, said the political scientist. Before that, he predicts a tougher fight next week over the definition of parliamentarians who will control committees and the Budget.

Succession in the Chamber is the backdrop for the anti-STF agenda

Despite the tense atmosphere, Marcus Deois, director of Ethics and Political Intelligence, assesses that the agenda to set stricter limits for STF ministers “is already a reality in the Chamber”.

In this sense, it will be up to Lira to act as an intermediary of interests between the parties and powers involved, knowing how to “use each delivery very well” in favor of its own objectives”. On the other hand, says Deois, Pacheco approaches the PT government to consolidate its image as an antagonist of governor Romeu Zema (Novo), towards the construction of his candidacy for the Palácio da Liberdade, headquarters of the Minas Gerais government.

For Deois, the movements of the presidents of the Chamber and Senate are essentially aimed at winning the votes of the PT and the left-wing federation for the succession of both Houses, which will only occur in February 2025. For now, Marcos Pereira (Republicanos-SP) stands out as the main alternative to Elmar Nascimento (União Brasil-BA), a name supported by Lira to succeed him. In the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP) is already certain that he will return to the Presidency, in the change of guard with his ally Pacheco. “I just don’t know if they’ve already agreed with the Russians”, he joked.