Unlike its predecessor, Rodrigo Pacheco, the new president of the house is closer to the opposition; During his first term, he consolidated Congress power on the budget
The senator (União Brasil-AP) was elected president of the Senate this Saturday (1st) with 73 votes of the 81 votes, resuming the command of the house four years after leaving office. Your new term will include the 2025-2027 biennium. (New) and (PL), opponents of the Union parliamentarian in the election, had four votes each. Alcolumbre’s victory represents a significant change in the relationship with the Planalto Palace, since, unlike its predecessor (PSD-MG), the new Senate Mandachuva is more proximally to the opposition, which can make it difficult to process agenda of interest to the Lula administration.
The Senate’s new political configuration already gives signs that opposition will gain more space. The PL, the former president’s party, will have the vice presidency of the House and will command the Public Security Commission, which will be chaired by (PL-RJ). The measure reflects the commitment of alcoholumbre with a balance between governors and oppositionists, but also imposes challenges on the government’s articulation in Congress.
The political history of the Union parliamentarian demonstrates his ability to transit between different groups. During his first term as president of the Senate (2019-2021), he consolidated the power of the Congress over, creating conditions for the so-called “rapporteur amendment”, later known as the “secret budget”. Now he returns to office under a distinct scenario, with greater pressure for transparency and investigations by the Federal Police on the destination of parliamentary amendments.
His rise to office had ample support, bringing together ten parties that add up to 76 senators. The strategy was marked by pragmatic alliances: even with a history of collaboration with the Bolsonaro government, received support from and, as well as Republicans. This wide coalition indicates that its management can be less automatically aligned with the government, reinforcing a more independent profile.
In office, Alcolumbre will have to balance the demands of the opposition and the government. Governing senators expect it to prevent initiatives that can compromise fiscal balance, while oppositions await the advance of projects such as amnesty to the condemned by the acts of 8 January. Pacheco’s successor should also manage the tensions around the execution of parliamentary amendments, a theme that recently generated friction between Congress and the Supreme Court.
With a skilled and pragmatic articulator profile, the new Senate president promises to maintain open dialogue with all political forces. Alcolumbre’s election signals a new phase for the Senate, with a president who moves between different political spectra and promises a balanced mandate, but will certainly test the Lula government’s ability to articulate in the coming years.
Posted by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the aid of AI
