Lira negotiates sponsorship of the PP in Health, Lula resists, and Planalto suggests changes in stages

Brasilia DF) – In order to try to advance in negotiations with the government, allies of the mayor, deputy Arthur Lira (PP-AL), are considering proposing that the PP can sponsor a health minister who is from the sector, instead of directly appointing a parliamentarian to the command. from the folder.

The centrão, a group led by Lira, wants President Lula (PT) to open space on the Esplanada dos Ministérios to accommodate members of parties such as the PP, União Brasil and, although uncertain, the Republicans.

Lula’s interlocutors defend that the changes in ministries be made separately. The idea is that, with this, the criticism that the federal government is responding to requests from the centrão in a ministerial reform would be reduced.

The first step should be the appointment of Deputy Celso Sabino (União Brasil-PA) to the Ministry of Tourism, currently headed by Daniela Carneiro (RJ). In April, Daniela asked to leave União Brasil. Party members believe that the replacement could happen next week.

Negotiations with the centrão for the other ministries are still stalled. Lula, according to allies, wants to shield the Ministry of Health, despite the appetite of cardinals in the Chamber. Deputies close to Lira recognize that, in Lula’s view, the position of Nísia Trindade (Health) is non-negotiable – she never had party affiliation.

The strategy, however, is to insist on the plan and present the idea of ​​not appointing a parliamentarian, but a name seen as a technician with the support of the PP.

With that, Lira’s allies try to dilute the centrão’s fingerprints in the nomination. The exchange aims to speed up the release of parliamentary amendments and take control of the folder’s billionaire budget.

Lira’s group prefers a robust ministry, instead of being able to indicate members of the first echelon of less relevant folders.

After the Chamber demolished part of the structure of the Esplanada dos Ministérios during the Lula 3 government, the Palácio do Planalto made signs to respond to requests from the centrão, including expanding the group’s space in government.

Lula entered the political articulation, met with Lira and with the leader of União Brasil, deputy Elmar Nascimento (BA). During the meeting with Lira, according to allies of both, the president also stated that he should make specific changes to the Esplanada.

In the case of the Republicans, the party leadership has resisted entering the government, despite the fact that part of the bench in the Chamber has the intention of nominating allies for positions in the Executive.

Deputies close to Lira claim that, given the impasse, the Republicans should take on relevant second- and third-rank positions.

The most advanced negotiation is with Elmar and the União Brasil bench.

Daniela Carneiro does not have the support of the party to remain in the Ministry of Tourism. The mayor of Belford Roxo (RJ) and Daniela’s husband, Waguinho, an ally of Lula, is still trying to support the minister in office. But the União Brasil bench in the Chamber almost unanimously defends putting Sabino in her place.

In exchange, Daniela may gain the power to nominate names for positions at the SPU (Secretary of the Union’s Heritage) and federal hospitals in Rio de Janeiro.

The situation of the Minister of Communications, Juscelino Filho (União Brasil-MA), was also considered delicate. However, Senator Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP), according to reports, asked to keep him in office.

Elmar has demonstrated that he will accept Juscelino as a party nominee. The minister is also Lira’s ally.

The expectation is that ministerial exchange negotiations will be resumed next week.

The articulation with União Brasil, according to members of the acronym, should reduce the party’s resistance to supporting the government. It is not yet clear whether, with this, the party will formally become part of Lula’s base.

During the assembly of the Esplanada at the end of last year, Elmar was vetoed by Lula’s allies. The name of the leader of União Brasil had been suggested by Lira’s group. With the nomination of Sabino, Elmar promises to act to secure more votes for Planalto.

The governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho (MDB), Lula’s ally, has already been consulted and has given his approval to Sabino’s likely nomination.

The two assess that, if they take over the Tourism portfolio, the state will have great projection —Belém (PA) is on track to host the 30th UN Conference on Climate Change, in November 2025.

In conversations with Lula, Lira has also taken the opportunity to demand agility in appointing government positions and releasing amendments.

Lula’s articulators have been advising the president not to rule out changes in any ministry other than the so-called palace kitchen, which includes the Civil House and the Institutional Relations Secretariat, in addition to the Treasury.

*With information from Folha de S.Paulo

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