A controversial denunciation of vote purchases marked the process of direct elections (PED) of the Workers Party (PT), held last Sunday (6). The prosecution, involving the mayor of Maricá and PT’s national vice president, Washington Quaquá, raises questions about the integrity of the party’s internal electoral process.
Olavo Brandão Carneiro, member of the executive of PT Fluminense and member of the left articulation current, said he had evidence of irregularities.
“I am sure and the use of economic power, with a centrality in the municipality of Maricá,” said Carneiro.
According to the complainant, Quaquá would have used the public machine to transport voters and press them to vote for their favorite candidate. Carneiro presented photos and exchanges of messages that, according to him, would prove the accusations.
Implications for PT’s leadership in Rio
The case gains additional relevance considering that Diego Zeidan, son of Washington Quaquá and Secretary of Housing of the Capital Fluminense, is appointed as a favorite to take command of the party’s state directory.
Confronted with the accusations, Quaquá countered: “This is the cry of loser, crying of those who have no political work.” The response of the mayor of Maricá suggests that he considers the allegations unfounded and motivated by internal party disputes.
Carneiro reported that he will refer the case for calculation by the National Directory of. The investigation should determine whether there was, in fact, buying votes and abuse of economic power during the electoral process.
The unfolding of this case may have significant implications for the PT’s power structure in the state of Rio de Janeiro and, potentially, at national level, depending on the results of the investigation and the measures that the party decides to take.
