PT and centrão compete for vice-presidencies of Caixa – 09/02/2023 – Market

In the midst of the already delicate remodeling of the Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) government, the sharing of the vice-presidencies of Caixa Econômica Federal emerges as a new obstacle for the accommodation of the centrão on the Esplanada dos Ministérios.

Even on the verge of assuming the promised presidency of the bank, PP leaders complain about the PT’s resistance to hand over all 12 vice-presidencies to the centrão.

This obstacle increased the party’s dissatisfaction with the government, which also pleads with the Ministry of Social Development. Lula refuses to hand over the portfolio in its entirety, although she is still considering dismembering it in order to partially hand it over to the party.

In the negotiations, the government has already given the hammer that the command of Caixa will be with former federal deputy Margarete Coelho (PP-PI), appointed by the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira (PP-AL). She will replace Rita Serrano.

The focus of the dispute is the vice-presidency of Housing, currently commanded by Inês Magalhães, and mainly responsible for the implementation of Minha Casa, Minha Vida. The chair would be reserved for União Brasil.

But Inês —who held the Ministry of Cities for a month— is named as Lula’s trusted name. The PT calls for his permanence in office.

Members of the centrão conveyed to the Planalto Palace their desire to assume the presidency of Caixa in the so-called “closed gate” modality – when the same party, or group, appoints the occupants of all positions in a department.

According to reports collected by the report, however, Planalto also resists handing over the vice-presidency of the Government. Today, she is headed by Marcelo Bomfim, a law professor sponsored by the President of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), with the sympathy of part of the PT de Minas group.

A career employee at CEF, Bomfim was president of BDMG (Development Bank of Minas Gerais).

A Sheet Pacheco says he can attest to Bomfim’s competence. “It’s part of the bank’s career. I know him from the Minas Gerais superintendence, and I can attest to his competence.”

Although parliamentarians linked to the government deny it, centrão leaders insist that Planalto promised to cede the entire structure of the financial institution to the PP.

But President Lula himself had already warned that he would not adopt this criterion when assembling his teams. This decision by the president has already provoked complaints from União Brasil, which, for example, occupies the Ministry of Tourism, but does not hold command of Embratur.

The leader of the party in the Chamber, Elmar Nascimento (BA), told allies that he expected to nominate the holder of the Housing vice-presidency as compensation for the party not having been awarded with Correios and Embratur —which has not yet materialized.

In the words of a centrão leader, the government would be retreating from an already signed commitment. He says this will lead to delays in completing Lula’s cabinet reshuffle, which has already been postponed on more than one occasion.

In addition, he points out, this can increase the criticism of parliamentarians about the political articulation of the Executive. In recent weeks, they have again complained about the relationship with Congress, especially the pace of release of parliamentary amendments and the appointment of regional positions.

According to reports, Lira is ahead of the negotiations for the division of vice-presidencies between parties such as Republicans, PP and União Brasil. There are negotiations, still ongoing, for the PSDB/Cidadania federation to also be contemplated.

Added to this setback by Caixa is the difficulty faced by Lula in concluding his ministerial reform. According to allies, the dismemberment of the Ministry of Social Development (MDS) is today another impasse faced by the president.

Minister Wellington Dias is opposed to the division, going so far as to publicly say that the idea would be discarded by Lula.

According to the formula under development, part of the MDS with Bolsa Família would be incorporated into the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, announced by Lula this week, and delivered to Dias.

Other social programs would go to the PP nominee, federal deputy and party leader in the Chamber, André Fufuca (PP-MA).

This design would preserve the Sports portfolio, headed by former athlete Ana Moser. According to reports, Lula resists removing her from her position.

In another alternative, the PP could head a turbocharged version of the Sports portfolio, which would be integrated into the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises.

The Republicans, in turn, should be in charge of Ports and Airports. The caption nominee is federal deputy Silvio Costa Filho (PE). Centrão leaders also say that the government promised the party the command of Funasa (National Health Foundation).

Contacted by the report, the SRI (Secretary of Institutional Relations) declined to comment on the criteria for the distribution of positions at Caixa. The bank also declined to comment.