The president () is preparing for this Wednesday (8) a ceremony in memory of the coup acts of January 2023 amid political exhaustion and military discontent.
On January 8 of that year, a horde of supporters of the former president () left a camp in front of the Army HQ in Brasília.
The date was marked with one of the biggest attacks on democracy — the (Federal Supreme Court) has already sentenced 375 defendants for what resulted in the indictment of 1,682 people involved.
Although he has heard informal confirmations of presence, according to reports from government members, Lula may see the expectation of participation from representatives of parties that make up his governing base frustrated, limiting the agenda to a left-wing demonstration.
The president announced the event at his last ministerial meeting last year, and asked that all heads of departments be present in Brasília. He has repeated that he hopes to make 2025 a milestone in defense of democracy in politics.
But, in the barracks and within the government itself, there is fear that inflammatory speeches will stir up tempers in the military, already shaken by the arrest of high-ranking officers.
There is also the risk of casualties among allies in the center. Although parliamentarians, governors and ministers have been invited, the Congress leadership is not expected to attend.
The advisor to the president of , (-MG), said that he is on a previously scheduled trip, but that the first vice-president of the House, Veneziano Vital do Rêgo (MDB-PB), will represent the Senate on the occasion.
The denial disappoints Planalto, which was counting on his presence, due to his actions in defense of democracy.
The ceremonies take place at a time of redesign of the Esplanade, with the possibility of appointing Congress leaders in a ministerial reform. Pacheco’s name is often mentioned in these conversations.
The president of the Chamber, (-AL), in turn, is in Alagoas with his father, Benedito Lira (PP-AL), who is ill. Although his absence was not confirmed, it was taken for granted by allies. At last year’s event, pressured by Bolsonarists, he also did not attend.
According to reports, the president himself even invited them. And, before Christmas, I would have received confirmations of attendance.
The likely successors to the presidencies of the Houses should also not attend. Senator Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP) and deputy Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB) are in their electoral strongholds during this recess.
The election for the tables will take place at the beginning of February, at the return of the parliamentary recess. His presence could scare off Bolsonarian parliamentarians, voters in the dispute for the commands of the Chamber and Senate.
Party leaders from acronyms that are part of the Esplanada will also not attend the government ceremony: Gilberto Kassab (PSD), Baleia Rossi (MDB) and Marcos Pereira (Republicans).
Furthermore, the government ended a year under tension with deputies and senators, after months of imbroglio over payment of amendments with the . Planalto members believe that at least part of the casualties can be justified by the climate of discontent.
From the Supreme Court, only three will participate. Minister Edson Fachin will appear representing the presidency, in place of Luís Roberto Barroso. Besides him, Alexandre de Moraes and Gilmar Mendes
According to palace assistants, the intention is to reinforce the idea of rebuilding the spaces and works destroyed in the coup acts and to make an emphatic defense of democracy. Lula will present vandalized paintings and statues, such as the work “As Mulatas”, by Di Cavalcanti.
Afterwards, the ramp will go down for an act with the activists at Praça dos Três Poderes, where there will be a symbolic embrace of the place. The organizers expect to bring together around a thousand people.
Ministers and left-wing politicians must accompany him, but military personnel participating in the ceremony must not attend the event, which is considered political in nature.
Minister José Múcio (Defense) and the commanders of the three Forces are confirmed at the Palácio do Planalto. Last year, a speech by Lula about “legalist military personnel” generated discomfort among the military, which senior members of the Forces believe will likely be repeated this year.
Members of the Armed Forces are already afraid of discomfort with the issue, which is considered delicate in the barracks – especially given the progress of investigations by the PF (Federal Police), which have already arrested generals and revealed a plan to assassinate Lula, Geraldo Alckmin (PSB ) and Alexandre de Moraes, from the STF (Supreme Federal Court).
At the meeting in which he invited his ministers to the event, Lula spoke of the importance of defending democracy and mentioned the arrest of Walter Braga Neto, a four-star general arrested for alleged involvement in the attempted coup d’état. The president said he was happy to represent action against impunity.
Despite this, government soldiers believe that the malaise has been priced in and the Army commander, Tomás Paiva, is likely to suffer criticism from more radical members of the reserve. Still, the moment of greatest tension was the arrests of the generals last year and the PF report.
The cries of “no amnesty” raised by the audience of allies this year are likely to be repeated and gain momentum with the act of militancy in Praça dos Três Poderes.
In , there is a bill that provides benefits for those arrested in the coup acts. Lira promised to vote on the project during her administration, which did not happen. Now, Hugo Motta faces pressure from Bolsonarists to move forward with the issue.
