Lira extends demands and messages to Lula; know 8 points – 06/13/2023 – Power

Almost six months after taking office, President Lula (PT) has witnessed in recent weeks the most forceful demonstration of dissatisfaction by the Chamber of Deputies, especially through statements by the President of the House, Deputy Arthur Lira (PP-AL).

Lira is the main leader of the center and was responsible for the base of support for the government of Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

He has made a series of public demands, while the Planalto Palace knows that today it does not have enough votes to approve measures of interest without the influence of the mayor.

According to Lira and Lula himself, the Planalto has assured about 130 of 513 seats in the plenary – although the base with parties that make up the government is larger.

1) Candidacy for re-election

Lira said on Monday night (12) that the fact that Lula does not make it clear whether or not he will be a candidate for re-election in 2026 hinders the government. According to Lira, this lack of definition generates “many pre-candidates from the PT itself”.

“The fact that President Lula has not yet made explicit whether he is a candidate for re-election or does not generate, from my point of view, many pre-candidates within the PT itself. This does not help in the administration of the government. Because there is an apparent difficulty in relationship of A, B, C, D or E”, declared the federal deputy in an interview with GloboNews.

2) Change of Minister of the Civil House

In this Monday’s interview, Lira said that, in a recent meeting with Lula, she suggested replacing Rui Costa (PT), current Chief of Staff, with Fernando Haddad (Finance). According to Lira, the possibility was discarded by the President of the Republic.

“I had breakfast a week ago with President Lula. In the middle of the conversation I asked him a question: ‘do you think about having the possibility of Minister Haddad going to the Civil House and [Gabriel] Gallípolo staying at the farm?”, said Lira.

“President Lula immediately said no. Haddad stayed at the farm and Gallípolo [que é secretário-executivo da Fazenda] goes to the Central Bank. From there the talk of ministries ceased.”

3) Pressure from the Ministry of Health

To try to advance in negotiations with the government, Lira’s allies are considering proposing that the PP can sponsor a Health Minister who is from the sector, instead of directly appointing a parliamentarian to lead the portfolio.

The centrão, a group led by Lira, wants Lula to make room on the Esplanada dos Ministérios to accommodate members of parties such as the PP, União Brasil and, although uncertain, the Republicans.

4) Single interlocutor

For Lira, the crisis in the government’s political articulation will only be resolved when there is a single interlocutor between the government and Congress, and who has ink in his pen to solve problems.

5) Chamber underrepresented

Lira stated at the beginning of the month that the formation of Lula’s ministry meant that the Chamber was under-represented and said that the government still has a way to change “the course of these choices and balance this game”.

“The setup and style of making a base are unique to each government. I have never defended a coalition government with the Legislative occupying space, neither partisan nor personal, but that is up to each government to choose. Whether it was done right or done wrong , the situation we live in today speaks for itself.”

6) Ministries to other parties

Lira said earlier this month that he warned Lula of the dissatisfaction of parliamentarians with the Executive’s relationship with the House and defended that the PT give space in his ministry for more parties to increase his support base in the National Congress.

“It is logical that in a conversation between leaders, part of the political articulation or with the President of the Republic or with the President of the Chamber, that same solution be given to other parties that he wants [para] increase the base. What is wrong with it? What’s different about it? What’s weird about that?”, said Lira.

7) Veiled threat

Lira warned interlocutors at the Planalto Palace that she will not list projects of interest to Lula until the deputies assess that the government has adjusted the political articulation and the relationship with the House.

With that, Lira and centrão leaders adopt a stance to continue pressuring the Planalto Palace to seek quick solutions to meet requests from the Chamber, such as the release of amendments, appointments to positions and also for more space in the government, and may even configure a reform ministerial.

8) Widespread dissatisfaction

At the end of May, hours before the vote by the Chamber of the Provisional Measure that restructured the Esplanada dos Ministérios, the deputy mentioned a “widespread dissatisfaction” in the House.

“The problem is not with the Chamber, it is not with Congress. The problem is with the government, with the lack or absence of articulation”, said Lira at the time. “There is widespread dissatisfaction among deputies and perhaps senators with the government’s lack of political articulation, not one or another minister.”