The session will take place amid tension between the Palácio do Planalto and Congress, which sees resistance to the name of the AGU; Lula’s nominee needs 41 votes among 81 senators
The president of the Senate, (União-AP), set the hearing for the attorney general of the Union, Jorge Messias, appointed by the president (PT) to the (Supreme Federal Court) for December 10th. The vote in the plenary must take place on the same day. The rapporteur on the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ) will be senator Weverton Rocha (PDT-MA). The formal message with the nomination will be read on December 3rd.
The choice of Messias generated tension between the Palácio do Planalto and the Senate, precisely at a critical period for the Lula government in Congress. The Casa Alta was close to the president and served some palace interests during the crisis, as Alcolumbre and other senators preferred the name of the former president of Congress (PSD-MG) and complained about not having been consulted before the nomination was announced. The lack of communication increased political unease and increased pressure on the hearing.
After an attempt to get closer to Messias, in an open letter full of praise for Alcolumbre, the president of the Senate responded with a very cold note. He stated that the hearing will follow the traditional rite and highlighted that each parliamentarian will be able to evaluate the nomination “at the appropriate time”, preserving the “constitutional prerogatives” of the House.
The AGU text reinforced the defense of dialogue and respect for institutions. Messias now intends to look for the senators individually before the vote. Behind the scenes, however, Alcolumbre has been working to speed up the process in December, contrary to the government’s initial strategy, which wanted more time to build support. To win the seat that belonged to , he needs at least 41 votes among the 81 senators of the Republic.
