MST CPI summons Stedile, but preserves Rui Costa – 06/20/2023 – Politics

Deputies who are part of the CPI of the MST of the Chamber approved in session this Tuesday (20) the summoning of João Pedro Stedile, one of the main leaders of the MST (Movement of Landless Rural Workers), to give testimony to the parliamentarians. Also approved was the appointment of José Rainha, leader of the FNL (Frente Nacional de Lutas Campo e Cidades).

Initially, a vote on the request to summon the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa, was scheduled, but he was removed from the agenda after action by members of the Lula government (PT) and leaders of the Chamber.

Before the session began, parliamentarians from the government base spoke with the rapporteur and the president of the CPI, Ricardo Salles (PL-SP) and Lieutenant Colonel Zucco (Republicanos-RS), respectively, in an attempt to reach an agreement on the issue. One of the vice-leaders of the government, Alencar Braga (PT-SP), was chosen to participate in the conversations.

According to Sheet As it turned out, there has been a movement by the leaders of the Chamber together with the members of the CPI, since Monday (19), so that this request is not considered in the session.

Leaders assessed that this move should be made to preserve the Lula government (PT), since Rui’s participation in the commission could be used to wear down the Executive amid complaints about the articulation of the Planalto between parliamentarians —the minister has been the target of critics from MPs.

According to reports, however, the possibility of invitation or summons by Minister Rui Costa may return to the CPI table later on.

Rui would not be the first member of the Esplanada to be subject to requests by the CPI. In a session on the 24th, invitations were approved for Paulo Teixeira (Agrarian Development) and Carlos Fávaro (Agriculture) —but there is still no date set for the participation of politicians.

In this Tuesday’s session, the consideration of 45 applications was scheduled (three from PT deputies and 42 from opposition parliamentarians).

Stedile, for example, was the target of five requests: one for invitation, submitted by PT parliamentarians who are members of the CPI, and four for summons drawn up by opposition parliamentarians.

Among them, that of deputy Kim Kataguiri (União Brasil-SP), who asked for the leadership to be summoned as a witness to provide clarification on the practices and actions of the MST.

The call for José Rainha was the subject of four requests — all from deputies linked to the ruralist agenda. Rainha was arrested in March of this year in the Pontal do Paranapanema region, inland São Paulo, on suspicion of extorting landowners.

Deputies from the base of the government tried to have the leaders’ summons transformed into invitations, when participation is not mandatory, but this did not happen. They also presented requests for withdrawal from the agenda on the summons of the two leaders, but they were overturned.

Sâmia Bomfim (PSOL-SP) stated that it was not necessary to approve summons, since the leaders would be willing to participate in the commission.

PT president Gleisi Hoffmann (PR) again said that the CPI already had a report ready and that the commission’s objective was to criminalize both the MST and agrarian reform.