Pacheco once again postpones the opening of the CPMI on January 8

After more than two hours of meetings with party leaders, the President of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), gave in to pressure from the base of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and postponed again the session of Congress, scheduled for this Tuesday (18), when the request for the installation of the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry (CPMI) on January 8 would be read.

The session was rescheduled for next Tuesday (26). The third postponement took place under protest from the opposition and with a quorum from the Chamber and Senate to start the session.

Opposition parliamentarians managed to maintain the minimum number of signatures for the opening of the CPMI, despite an effort by the government base to provoke a bloc of supporters on Monday night (17). According to deputy André Fernandes (PL-CE), author of the commission’s request, at the turn of the night to the morning of this Tuesday (18) the signatures of 194 deputies and 35 senators were counted, against the need for 171 and 27, respectively.

Faced with this scenario, government base leaders asked Pacheco to postpone the congressional session. They don’t want the CPMI to be installed because they think it could wear down the government.

Opposition parliamentarians left the meeting upset and promised to continue insisting on the CPMI. They highlighted Pacheco’s responsibility for yet another postponement, when the events complete an emblematic 100 days.

Oppositionists complained about the regimental maneuvers used from this Tuesday, with the argument of changing the agenda in view of the expectation of sending a government project to enable payment of a new nursing floor. Government supporters also questioned whether there would be enough quorum to open the session, which was easily denied.

Now, they will define reaction strategies, in case there are further delays. They range from a collection action in the Federal Supreme Court (STF) to systematic obstructions in votes in both Houses.

“President Pacheco needs to make it clear that he is president of the Senate and Congress and not the newest leader of the government”, protested senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE).