MST CPI summons Rui Costa in defeat for the Lula government – 08/01/2023 – Politics

Parliamentarians of the CPI of the MST approved this Tuesday (1st) the summoning of Minister Rui Costa (Casa Civil), in a defeat for the Lula government (PT).

The summons comes even after parliamentarians from the base have articulated to try to block the participation of the Chief of Staff in the commission and one day after the MST invaded an Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) farm in Petrolina (PE).

Rui Costa is one of the ministers most criticized by parliamentarians in the National Congress, who accuse him of rigidity and lack of political savvy.

Deputies from Lula’s allied base had already managed to shield the minister on two other occasions at the CPI, in a joint action with party leaders. Before the parliamentary recess, however, the president of the CPI, Deputy Lieutenant Colonel Zucco (Republicanos-RS), had already indicated that he would return to schedule the minister’s summons in August.

This Tuesday, moments before the session began, the rapporteur of the CPI, deputy Ricardo Salles (PL-SP), presented an extra-tariff request with the summoning of Rui.

Deputy leader of the government, Alencar Santana (PT-SP) presented a point of order to try to block the appreciation, stating that the Ministry of the Civil House does not have competences on the subject dealt with in the commission —the request, however, was rejected.

“We are not advising ‘no’ on the agenda because we are afraid to come with our ministers here. It is because it makes no sense for the Minister of the Civil House to come and speak here in this commission that does not even have a determined fact. This one became the CPI at the end of the world”, added the president of the PT, federal deputy Gleisi Hoffmann (PR).

Base parliamentarians reinforced the chorus and said that it is an “absurd call” that has political motivation to wear down the Lula government.

Salles alleged the presentation of the summons saying that in the same way that the CPI approved the summons of the former Minister of the GSI (Institutional Security Office) General Gonçalves Dias to deal with Abin’s performance in monitoring land invasions, it would make sense that Rui Costa was also called —because the intelligence activities of the Federal Executive are under the responsibility of the Civil House.

Deputy Kim Kataguiri (União Brasil-SP) also said that Rui’s presence at the CPI is justified by the fact that the Civil House is responsible for appointments in the Executive.

Also expected to be considered in this Tuesday’s session is a call request from minister Paulo Teixeira (Agrarian Development), as well as the president of Conab, Edegar Pretto.

In addition, the participation of GDias is also expected to give testimony to the CPI in this session.

The former minister had asked the STF (Federal Supreme Court) not to attend the CPI, but had his request denied. Minister André Mendonça, however, assured GDias the right to remain silent on issues that may incriminate him, in addition to being able to be accompanied by a lawyer.

GDias was summoned to report on “actions carried out by the Brazilian Intelligence Agency in monitoring land invasions that occurred in Brazil” during the period in which he served as minister.