Lula returns from Europe without major agreements and surrounded by crises in the government

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) landed in Brazil this Wednesday (26th) after a trip of almost a week through Europe, bringing few agreements in his luggage. Despite the expectations of the Planalto Palace, his visit to Portugal and Spain was marked by protests and embarrassment due to the PT’s accusations against the European Union (EU) about the war in Ukraine.

At the same time, Lula’s landing in Brazil takes place in the midst of several crises and impasses within the Executive. In addition to setting up the Joint Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPMI) to investigate the acts of January 8, the mayor, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), indicated that he intends to open a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) to investigate the Movement of the Landless Rural Workers (MST), a historical ally of the PT.

The return of the PT supporter is considered by members of the Planalto as decisive for the government, given that the articulations with the Chamber and the Senate will put the PT supporter’s base in the Legislature to the test. Among the tests for the PT candidate are the votes on the new fiscal framework, which will replace the government spending ceiling, and the nomination of a name for the Federal Supreme Court (STF), which will occupy the vacancy left by former Minister Ricardo Lewandowski.

Lula’s allies and opposition members are also fighting for the occupation of strategic posts, such as the presidency and the rapporteurship, at the CPMI on January 8th. Planalto’s assessment is that having a majority within the collegiate could end up isolating opposition parties like the PL, of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

“We’ve already talked to the PP and União Brasil bloc, we’ve talked to the MDB and PSD bloc and, finally, our federation camp (PT/PCdoB/PV). And I think we’re ready to indicate the names. The parties are moving to define who will preside or report and we will make the agreement”, defended the leader of the government in the Chamber, deputy José Guimarães (PT-CE).

Despite the government leadership’s moves, the consolidation of the government’s base in the Chamber, for example, has depended on Arthur Lira’s support. This was evident during the vote on the urgency requirement of the PL of fake newsthat despite Planalto’s efforts, the proposal only advanced due to Lira’s commitment.

The score, however, was considered close, as the application was approved by 238 votes to 192. A simple majority was required for approval, that is, a majority plus one deputy among the 431 present. Despite this, the government supporters celebrate, claiming that the result was a defeat for the opposition in an issue for which they have made an intense mobilization in recent days.

Protests and few agreements

Lula’s first visit to Portugal since assuming the presidency was marked by protests from right-wing deputies. During a speech by the PT in the Portuguese Parliament, the group of the Liberal Initiative (IL) party opted to withdraw from the plenary, while 12 parliamentarians from the Chega party carried posters with phrases such as “Enough of corruption” and “A thief’s place is in prison”. .

Still on Portuguese soil, Lula tried to ease the tensions with European countries after he accused the EU and the United States of America (USA) of encouraging the war in Ukraine. The PT’s declarations occurred during his visit to China, at the beginning of this month, and provoked criticism of Brazilian diplomacy.

“We condemn the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. We believe in an international order based on respect for international law and the preservation of national sovereignty. of the Portuguese Republic, in Lisbon.

Among the signed agreements, Brazil and Portugal signed a treaty that provides for economic cooperation within the markets of countries in the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). The pact, with three main fronts, will prioritize “actions to promote the development and internationalization of startups and promotion of small and medium-sized companies in both countries”.

On his visit to Spain, Lula returned to address the Russian invasion by criticizing the role of the UN in the war. Despite this, he never mentioned the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, unlike the president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, who called the Russian an “aggressor”.

Lula also said that it is not up to him to say who owns Crimea or Donbass, Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia. “When you sit down at a negotiating table, you can discuss anything, even Crimea. But those who have to discuss that are the Russians and Ukrainians,” added the PT.

In Spain, the PT signed cooperation agreements in the areas of education, work and scientific research. The first document was a memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Labor of the two countries, which provides for the exchange of information on the labor reform in Spain, carried out at the end of 2021.

Lula and the minister of Labor, Luiz Marinho, also met, in Madrid, with Spanish union leaders to talk about the theme. Still during the campaign, the PT signaled that it intends to promote a review of the labor reform approved in 2017 by the Michel Temer (MDB) government.

Lula wants help from Spain to close EU agreement with Mercosur

Lula’s attempt to minimize the wear and tear on the declarations of war occurs in the midst of a Planalto strategy to try to advance the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur. In this strategy, alignment with Spain is seen as essential, given that the country will assume the presidency of the common European bloc in June.

The agreement that the petista has already announced that he wants to conclude by the middle of this year, was signed in 2019, during the government of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), after 20 years of negotiations. Despite this, the treaty is still under revision between the countries of both blocs and there are disagreements regarding environmental issues.

Countries like France, for example, insist that the treaty should not be implemented without “solid” guarantees on compliance with the Paris Agreement, the global treaty on climate change. To enter into force, the free trade agreement has to be ratified by all 27 countries of the European Union and Mercosur.

During a meeting with businessmen in Madrid, Lula said that “Brazil and the other Mercosur countries (Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) are engaged in dialogue to conclude negotiations with the European Union. “It is a very important agreement for everyone and we want to that it is balanced and that it contributes to the reindustrialization of Brazil”, declared Lula.

This week, the US news site “Political” informed that the EU is considering closing the agreement with Mercosur as a strategy to reduce Russia’s influence on the countries of South America. of countries treated as a priority. Among the planned measures are trade, energy, migration agreements, among others. The EU’s intention is to remove Russia and China from these countries.