PL defends Valdemar after praising Lewandowski and Lula – 01/14/2024 – Power

Deputies and senators from the Liberal Party came out in defense of the president of the party, Valdemar Costa Neto, after the party leader was the target of criticism on social media for having praised the previous governments of President Lula (PT) and the appointment of Ricardo Lewandowski to the Ministry of Justice.

Parliamentarians differ on expectations regarding the conduct of Lewandowski’s public security policy; They are unanimous, however, in defending Valdemar, who in their opinion is a prestigious political leader and who has not abandoned Bolsonarism.

“Valdemar Costa Neto is one of the party leaders with the greatest credibility and partisan stance that I know. My regrets to him”, said senator Eduardo Gomes (PL-TO), who was leader of Congress in the Jair Bolsonaro (PL) government.

“You need to understand that it is not good to be radicalized at these times. Brazil is experiencing a polarized dispute and, therefore, the composition of the government has several configurations. At a certain point, even the opposition parties support the government. In the case of Valdemar, neither it has.”

Gomes also said that Lewandowski has an “established career”, but preferred not to express support or opposition to Lula’s choice to succeed Flávio Dino. “The choice of Minister of State is the prerogative of the President of the Republic, and his appointment is the Presidency being respected”, he concluded.

Representative Sóstenes Cavalcante (PL-SP), 2nd vice-president of the Chamber of Deputies, said that Valdemar has already explained his praise for the PT government in the face of “these attacks”. “I retweeted and shared his clarification,” he said.

The parliamentarian also said that Lewandowski’s choice was Lula’s decision. “We, in the opposition, have to wait for the inauguration and monitor the work. Nothing more.”

Former president of the Parliamentary Public Security Front, deputy Captain Augusto (PL-SP) assesses that the retired minister of the STF (Supreme Federal Court) has already demonstrated a position against the tightening of the Penal Code.

“He has always preached against incarceration, thinking that this is not the solution. And we, from the bullet bench, know that the issue of security is complex, but you have short, medium and long term solutions […]. In the short term, the only way is to tighten criminal legislation so that criminals feel the weight of the hand of Justice”, defended Augusto.

Despite his position contrary to Valdemar’s, the parliamentarian defended that the party leader is “widely recognized as a great leader, admired and respected by many”.

“The frequently mentioned criticisms and ‘cuts’ are, in many cases, taken out of context and disseminated by opponents who wish to create division within the party. These attacks unfairly disregard Valdemar’s efforts and dedication. Recognize his achievements and support him in his continued work to strengthen the right is essential for Brazil’s political future”, he concluded.

Current president of the public security front, deputy Alberto Fraga (PL-DF) said that the fact that Lewandowski was responsible for creating the custody hearing reveals that the minister’s work in Justice will be “a disaster”.

“Lewandowski’s appointment is a disaster, it is payment for a favor he did to the ‘uncondemned’ Lula. We know that we are going to have a minister of public insecurity, because he does not have any type of technical knowledge in this area”, stated Fraga , joining the divergent choir to Valdemar’s position.

For deputy Sergeant Gonçalves (PL-RN), member of the Chamber’s Public Security Committee, Ricardo Lewandowski should have a less troubled administration with Congress than Dino’s.

“We had a terrible experience last year with Flávio Dino at the head of the ministry. We hope that the new minister will behave in the opposite way to that of his predecessor. We want to dialogue and hope that we will be heard by the new minister of Justice and Public Security.”

Criticism of PL president, Valdemar Costa Neto, intensified on Friday (12) after he praised Lula’s decision to appoint Ricardo Lewandowski to head the Ministry of Justice.

“Lewandowski had everything he needed to go to the Ministry of Justice. He is prepared, a good man, a man who has always behaved firmly. [Lula] Correct, how not. As in the case of [Cristiano] Zanin, wasn’t that a good recommendation?” he told Sheet.

In addition to the complimentary statement, Valdemar saw clippings of an interview given in December with the newspaper O Diário appear on social media. In the recording, the leader says that Lula is a “comrade of the people” and said that the PT member is “completely different from Bolsonaro”.

“Lula has a lot of prestige, [mas] He doesn’t have the charisma that Bolsonaro has, the popularity. Bolsonaro is a phenomenon. (…) Today he arrived in Curitiba, a crowded airport, after the election. (…). No one can do this on the planet, it’s a phenomenon.”

Another moment in the video explored on social media is when Valdemar praises Lula’s performance in previous governments. “Lula has prestige, popularity. He is known by all Brazilians. Bolsonaro does not. Bolsonaro only had one mandate.”

Amid the repercussion of the cases, the president of the PL published a text this Saturday (13) to explain himself about the statements.

“They are attacking me using a speech I made about Lula that is out of context. To those, I leave a message: those who do not have loyalty and fidelity, have a short life in politics. I am loyal to Bolsonaro and faithful to my principles. Anyone who knows me You know that my word doesn’t bend,” he said.