Split left and PL delivers votes on fiscal milestone urgency

The vote on the urgency requirement of the project for the new fiscal framework, by the Chamber of Deputies, last week, showed a split between the left-wing parties that make up the base of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). On the other hand, the PL, which opposes the government, delivered at least a third of the votes of its deputies for the approval of the measure.

The urgency requirement allowed the proposal to have an accelerated process and, therefore, it does not need to be analyzed by the thematic committees and be submitted for deliberation directly in the plenary this week. The vote served for the Planalto Palace to measure the support of its allied base among the deputies after the record releases of parliamentary amendments during the month of May.

Despite this, two left-wing parties aligned with the PT government – PSol and Rede – voted entirely against the urgency requirement. In all, the two acronyms have 14 deputies. The movement of these subtitles irritated the Planalto Palace, which promises to increase pressure on the base in the vote on the merits of the matter this week.

The assessment of PT leaders, however, is that Planalto’s expectation may be frustrated, in view of the statements by deputies from both parties against the fiscal framework. Despite the setback in relation to these deputies, Lula’s allies are celebrating the result of the vote, including among the other acronyms of the base.

The PT gave 65 votes in favor and none against the request for urgency, which corresponds to a 96% adherence rate to the position of the Planalto Palace. Two parliamentarians of the legend were absent and did not vote. Adhesion occurred after Lula stated that he would not admit splits within his own party, in view of the criticism that some parliamentarians had been making against the text.

The PSB, the acronym of vice-president Geraldo Alckmin, recorded 13 votes in favor of the matter, one absence and no contrary position. The PDT, on the other hand, had 16 votes in favor, one against, and one congressman did not vote. PCdoB, Solidariedade, Avante and PV did not record votes against the urgency request.

PSol tries to change the text of the fiscal framework agreed by Lula with the rapporteur

In addition to voting against the urgent request, the PSol has been pressuring to try to change the text that was agreed by Lula’s allies with the proposal’s rapporteur, Deputy Claúdio Cajado (PP-BA). The bench considers that the fiscal framework may harm investments in priority agendas in the areas of health and education, such as the readjustment of funds from Fundeb and the National Nursing Floor.

“There are several points in the dep report. Claudio Cajado (rapporteur, author of the substitute) that limit the Lula government’s ability to act and may compromise growth in the coming years. We don’t want that to happen,” said PSol leader in the Chamber, Guilherme Boulos (SP).

So far, the acronym has the parliamentarian who most presented amendments to the project, which are proposals to change the text of the rapporteur. Deputy Chico Alencar (RJ), for example, filed at least ten requests for changes. These requests will be analyzed by the plenary during the vote on the matter.

Planalto expects, however, that the amendments will be defeated by the majority. In addition, government leaders admit that Lula intends to meet with PSol and Rede members shortly after his return from Japan to demand loyalty to the government in the polls.

PL delivered a third of the votes for approval of the urgency of the fiscal framework

Against the grain of the leftist parties, the PL, the party of former president Jair Bolsonaro, delivered 29 of the 99 votes from the bench for the approval of the urgent request. That wing voted against the leadership of the party, who had advised against the request.

The number of supporters of the PL to the government even surprised the leaders of the Palácio do Planalto, who calculated that they would attract less than half of these votes. Such as People’s Gazette showed, Lula’s articulators make an offensive in order to increase support within the opposition parties, such as the PL, the PP and the Republicans.

Of the 29 PL deputies who voted for the approval of the urgent request, only nine benefited from the release of amendments made by the government until this Thursday (18), according to data from the Siga Brasil platform, of the National Congress. Together, those contemplated received just over R$ 24 million in amendments.

The offensive to support the government in the PL took place mainly among parliamentarians from the Northeast, Lula’s main electoral stronghold. According to data from Siga Brasil, the main beneficiary within the PL was deputy João Bacelar (BA), with BRL 8 million, followed by Júnio Lourenço (MA), with just over BRL 5.7 million in amendments released.

Bolsonaro says he supports approval of the proposal by Congress

Even with 59 other PL deputies voting against the urgency requirement of the new fiscal framework, former president Jair Bolsonaro said that his party will not prevent the approval of the matter. According to him, the acronym is not going to make a “radical opposition” to Lula in matters of interest to Brazil.

“It is not our idea to prevent any voting. Our party is big in the Chamber, but we are not going to make a radical opposition. Let’s help, even though we don’t sympathize with the government. Let’s collaborate so that Brazil does not sink”, said the former president last week during a visit to the office of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ).

According to Bolsonaro, the acronym should suggest amendments to the rapporteur’s text. “Logically, the PL will present amendments, it is the best for everyone. Here is a president [aponta para o Palácio Planalto] who will fulfill his mandate and will face the elections in 2026, and we are not worried about election or re-election”, he added.