Lira meets with Lula on the verge of signing the first ally on the Esplanada – 06/16/2023 – Politics

The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), will meet this Friday afternoon (16) with President Lula (PT) at the Alvorada Palace. The meeting was scheduled at the last minute, after canceling the PT’s agenda in Rio Verde (GO) and takes place on the verge of the President of the House placing his first ally on the Esplanada dos Ministérios.

The confirmation of federal deputy Celso Sabino (União Brasil-PA) for Daniela Carneiro’s place in the Ministry of Tourism will represent Lira’s practical entry into the first echelon of the Executive.

The President of the House is the main leader of the centrão and was responsible for the base of support for the government of Jair Bolsonaro (PL). He has made public statements criticizing the Executive’s political articulation with parliamentarians.

This will be the second meeting between the two politicians this month — the first was on the 5th. In an interview with CNN Brasil, Lira said that the two dealt with a “more effective arrangement of the government’s base in the Chamber and in the Senate”.

The meeting also takes place amidst the possibility of the PP formally entering the federal government. Lula’s allies claim that the conversations this Friday could revolve around that.

Lira has been coveting the Ministry of Health, now headed by Nísia Trindade. 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 wants the Executive to open space on the Esplanada da to accommodate members of parties such as PP, União Brasil and, although uncertain, the Republicans.