Pacheco is re-elected and removes Bolsonarist zebra in the Senate – 02/01/2023 – Politics

The president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), 46, defeated Bolsonaro’s former minister Rogério Marinho (PL-RN) and was re-elected this Monday (1st) for another two years in office.

The result of the election in the House represents a second defeat for Bolsonarism and gives another demonstration of strength by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) a month after the beginning of his term.

The third candidate, Eduardo Girão (Podemos-CE), withdrew from running in favor of Marinho shortly before the beginning of the election.

The president of the Senate had the support of the parties that support Lula and managed to stop betrayals by negotiating spaces in committees, in the Board of Directors and in second and third-level positions in the federal government.

In addition to the PSD, Pacheco received formal support from the MDB, the PT, the PSB, the PDT and the Rede. Bolsonarist Rogério Marinho formed a block with PL, PP and Republicans. He also won the vote of members of the PSDB.

Before the vote, Pacheco spoke and defended his management at the head of the Senate. He said he did not give in to the practice of “blackmail”. He also stated that he guaranteed the independence of the Senate in relation to the other Powers, fighting the idea that the House allowed the Judiciary to hypertrophy —Marinho’s flag.

In a message to Bolsonarism, he stated that he maintained a collaborative relationship with the federal government, approving measures of great impact, including in the pre-election period, when Jair Bolsonaro (PL) sought re-election. He mentioned, for example, the increase in the amount of Auxílio Brasil and the proposal to reduce the price of fuel.

In response to criticism from Bolsonarists, Pacheco also promised to impose limits on other Powers, in particular the Judiciary.

“I affirm and I must say that, unlike what they maintain about revanchism, retaliation, possible framing of the Judiciary, which gives the final word to social and legal conflicts, we must fulfill our true role: to solve our problems through our ability to legislate. We are going to legislate to place limits on the Powers,” he said.

With the predictable victory of Arthur Lira (PP-AL) in the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate election gained the air of a third round. Bolsonaristas campaigned against Pacheco on social networks, tried to associate him with Lula and took posters with the phrase “Pacheco no” to the inauguration of elected deputies.

Lula went so far as to state that the government would not interfere in the dispute, but, in practice, state ministers campaigned for Pacheco and were in force at this Wednesday’s session.

Pacheco became president of the Senate two years ago with the support of Bolsonaro after the then president of the House, Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil -AP), was prevented by the STF (Federal Supreme Court) from running for reelection.

Throughout his term, however, the PSD senator distanced himself from the former president of the Republic and picked a fight with the Planalto Palace when he decided to reject an impeachment request against STF minister Alexandre de Moraes.

In the dispute against Marinho, Pacheco positioned himself as the candidate capable of defending democracy and stopping the Bolsonarist offensive against the Supreme — especially after the invasion and attack on the headquarters of the Three Powers, on January 8.

On the other hand, Bolsonarism clung to the possibility of electing Marinho and thus keeping the movement in evidence. Bolsonaro, from the United States, called and sent messages to try to turn votes in favor of his ally.

His son Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), who has always maintained a cordial relationship with Pacheco, has spent the last few days hurling criticism at the president of the Senate. Flávio went so far as to say that Pacheco did not have the “capacity to seek peace” and was also responsible for the January 8 attempt.

In 2021, Pacheco reached the highest position in the Senate with just two years of acting as a senator and six of political life. In the House, the miner gained prominence when he became president of the CCJ (Commission of Constitution and Justice), the most important of the House.

This year, the senator was the great favorite to be reappointed to the presidency of the Senate, as he came from a management praised by many senators and controlled the distribution of the so-called amendments of the general rapporteur of the budget.

Pacheco also had Alcolumbre’s articulation. However, the former president’s actions —such as the negotiation of commissions and vacancies on the board of directors— irritated and aroused jealousy among parliamentarians, to the point that allies of the senator from Minas Gerais announced the disembarkation of their campaign.

Senators from Pacheco’s own party Nelsinho Trad (PSD-MS), Lucas Barreto (PSD-AP) and Doctor Samuel Araújo (PSD-RO) called an interview the day before the election to announce their vote for Marinho.