Roberto Freire leaves presidency of Cidadania; adherence to the Lula government led to a crisis in the party

After more than 30 years at the head of Cidadania, the former Popular Socialist Party (PPS), Roberto Freire left the presidency of the party this Saturday (9). The departure is the result of an internal maneuver to enable the party to join the Lula government. In Freire’s place, Plínio Comte Bittencourt, leader of Cidadania in Rio de Janeiro, takes over.

Last month, while the National Directorate of Citizenship declared its support for the Lula government, a group of five federal deputies announced independence, seeking an alignment more to the right, which generated great attrition among the leaders.

After a meeting marked by arguments and shouting, the directory approved a vote to choose new leaders of the party’s national executive this Saturday (9). Former minister of Michel Temer, Freire complained that the maneuver was an attempt to expel him from the party with the aim of “joining the Lula government”.

“I was loyal to my principles, to the principles of the party and to our history, which, I hope, I will not be able to dishonor. To my friends and loyal combat companions, who joined me in this effort, my respect and gratitude”, said Freire in a note.

Initially a member of the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB), for which he ran for the Presidency of the Republic in 1989, Freire joined the PPS in the 1990s and has been a federal deputy, senator and Minister of Culture during the Temer government.