Opposition moves to compose CPI of NGOs in the Amazon

Opposition leaders in the Senate are coordinating to indicate names to compose the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) of NGOs in the Amazon, which should be installed in the House after receiving the approval of the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG). The request for the opening of the CPI, authored by senator Plínio Valério (PSDB-AM), received the support of 37 senators, 10 more than necessary.

According to aides to senators, even before Pacheco officiated the party blocks about the nominations, a dispute began between those interested to be chosen in at least one substitute. Senators Rogério Marinho (PL-PI), Zequinha Marinho (PL-PA), Damares Alves (Republicans-DF) and Hamilton Mourão (Republicans-RS) have already expressed interest.

The CPI will be composed of 11 members and seven alternates. The majority block, formed by MDB, União, Podemos, PDT, PSDB and Rede, is entitled to seven members. The two opposition blocs, which bring together PL, Republicans, PP and Novo, can indicate together six, equal number of the governing bloc, formed by PSD, PSB and PT. CPI needs at least 10 members to function.

Plínio Valério said that the CPI will not serve to “demonize non-governmental organizations”, but only investigate suspicions in depth. “There are serious NGOs that will be preserved. We are going to investigate those who take money abroad and here, they are not accountable and spend 80% of what they collect among themselves”, he pointed out. “Let’s open this black box to reveal what goes on behind the scenes.”

The Amazonian senator, who since 2019 has been trying to install the CPI, cites the case of American billionaire George Soros having transferred R$ 107 million in just one year, through his Open Society Foundations. Valério argues that the issue remains current, especially with the return of the Amazon Fund, which, in his opinion, makes the CPI “even more necessary”. “After almost four years of waiting, all that remains for us now is to demand from the leaders of the block the nomination of the members”, said Valério to the People’s Gazette.