New meeting of Zanin with evangelicals has promise of support and presence of Damares

Brasilia DF): Lawyer Cristiano Zanin, appointed by President Lula (PT) to the STF (Federal Supreme Court), met this Wednesday (14) with parliamentarians from the evangelical group of the National Congress, in search of votes for the Saturday 21st in the Senate.

The meeting was organized by deputy Cezinha de Madureira (PSD-SP), and was attended by opposition senator Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF), former minister of Jair Bolsonaro, four days after she declared her vote against the approval of the Chosen by Lula.

The meeting lasted about 40 minutes and was held at Catedral Baleia, headquarters of the National Convention of the Assemblies of God of Brazil Ministry Madureira, in Brasília. The presidents of the evangelical bench in the Chamber of Deputies, Eli Borges (PL-TO), and in the Senate, Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG), were present.

Members of the meeting told UOL, privately, that the result of the meeting was positive and that the lawyer was well regarded by the group.

A parliamentarian reported that the meeting was not a Saturday meeting, but a reaffirmation of positions, and that Zanin heard promises of support from the church, linked to evangelical senators, who would demand votes for the lawyer.

Upon leaving, he was praised by pastors who participated in the meeting and even heard a “future minister of the STF” saying goodbye to the religious leaders.

Last week, Borges told UOL that Zanin “understands the guidelines” of the group and that he has heard positive comments about the lawyer.

“What I observe in everything I’ve heard is that he really understands the agendas that are dear to us. The family agenda, the non-ideological indoctrination in schools, the non-liberation of marijuana, life and, above all, the freedom agenda. These are issues that are dear to the Evangelical Parliamentary Front and are not on the negotiation table.”

said the MP.

The lawyer himself considered that the meeting was great, repeating the few words he has given since the beginning of the tour with senators.

Zanin did not participate in the lunch, organized by the evangelical leaders, due to commitments in the Senate. When asked about participating in the event, Damares declined to comment.

Zanin has been approaching parliamentarians from the evangelical front in recent weeks — one of the strongest in Congress. In the meetings, the lawyer has said that thorny issues being discussed at the Supreme Court, such as abortion and the decriminalization of drugs, should be discussed by the legislature.

The lawyer had already had lunch with Viana and federal deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante (PL-RJ), former president of the Evangelical Parliamentary Front of Congress, on June 6. At the meeting, he dealt with themes considered dear to the religious segment.

He also spoke with the leader of the PL in the Senate, Carlos Portinho (RJ), and Senator Jorge Seif (PL-SC), former Secretary of Fisheries in the Jair Bolsonaro government.

At the moment, the assessment is that although the sabbatine may be tough, Zanin should not have difficulties in being approved for the STF. Parliamentarians have already started an informal counting of votes that he must have in the plenary.

On Tuesday (13), the lawyer obtained the support of the PSD — an ally of the Planalto and owner of the largest bench in the Senate. The main question would have been about the possibility of the lawyer being “accessible” to parliamentarians after taking office – something that is criticized in the profile of other members of the court.

Zanin would also have nodded to evangelicals by saying that, as a judge, it is his duty to interpret the laws and the Constitution when asked about discrimination against religious people.

Since the nomination, Lula’s nominee opted for an initially discreet “hand kiss” and attended lunches and dinners with parliamentarians. Now, it has begun to circulate among senators’ offices. For now, there is no order of priority — the lawyer signals the intention and fits a hearing into the agenda of available parliamentarians.

It has not yet been evaluated by his team whether Zanin will seek to meet with Sergio Moro (União Brasil-PR), former judge of Operation Lava Jato and his main opponent in Lula’s process.

This Wednesday, he still meets with the MDB bench and with senators Jayme Campos (União Brasil-MT), Alan Rick (União Brasil-AC), Eduardo Girão, leader of Novo in the Senate, Confúcio Moura (MDB-RO) and Ivete da Silveira (MDB-SC). This is Cristiano Zanin, Lula’s lawyer and friend nominated for the STF

*With information from Folha de S.Paulo

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