A majority wing of the government () assesses that the debate sparked this Wednesday (3) after Gilmar Mendes’ decision on takes the succession in the (Federal Supreme Court) out of focus, allowing the Palácio do Planalto to realign its relationship with the .
There are even those in the government who defend a gesture of solidarity from Lula to the president of the Senate, (-AP), to unblock communication channels with the parliamentarian.
According to allies, Lula had already expressed his intention to look for Alcolumbre upon returning from his trip to the Northeast. The president of the Senate was also being advised to reopen communication channels with the government.
In conversations with Alcolumbre, his interlocutors even cite former President of the Chamber Eduardo Cunha as an example that one should not put a knife to the neck of a President of the Republic. Cunha led the impeachment process of former president Dilma Rousseff, but paid a political price for it.
Despite the willingness to look for Alcolumbre, Lula reiterates that the appointment of the STF minister is a prerogative of the President of the Republic.
The demand for the Supreme Court increased in recent days and culminated in the . Alcolumbre announced the initiative on Tuesday (2) in plenary.
This Wednesday, however, Gilmar’s decision on the Impeachment Law became the center of attention in Congress, which is responsible for examining and approving nominees for the STF, in addition to conducting processes that could result in the impeachment of ministers.
Although some allies believe that this situation could impact Messias’ candidacy, Planalto organizers expect the situation to clear up during the end of the year and Carnival. These allies point to February as an ideal month for the hearing.
A nod to the senators came on Wednesday night, when the body headed by Lula’s nominee, the (Attorney General of the Union), and, if the minister does not comply, let the court express its opinion on the matter.
An ally of Planalto, the senator (PT-PE) criticized Gilmar’s decision, remembering that it occurs at a time of tension. According to the PT member, the right to request impeachment could not be restricted. He agrees, however, with the increase in the quorum required for this removal of authorities from their positions.
Gilmar Mendes’ decision triggered a series of demonstrations in support of Alcolumbre in the Senate plenary during Wednesday’s session. The statements included both government and opposition senators, such as Eduardo Braga (MDB-AM), Omar Aziz (PSD-AM), (-RN) and (PT-AP).
The president of the Senate made two statements in the plenary after Gilmar’s decision, in which he criticized both the STF minister’s measure and the strategy used by the federal government to approve Messias for the STF — postponing sending the message that starts the process until it is certain that there are enough votes for approval, which led Alcolumbre to cancel the hearing and the decisive vote.
The senator. Alcolumbre, as well as several senators, wanted the chosen one to be Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG). Some government members began to accuse the president of the Senate of trying to make the decision in place of the head of government.
“At no time did any of us, senators, attempt to usurp the prerogatives of the President of the Republic to nominate a member of the Federal Supreme Court,” declared Alcolumbre. He mentioned the possibility of the Senate rejecting Lula’s choice.
The rapporteur for Messias’ nomination, senator Weverton Rocha (PDT-MA), responsible for recommending a vote for or against approval and one of the main organizers in favor of Lula’s choice, said he will make every effort to prevent the reaction to Gilmar Mendes’ decision from harming the nominee.
“It adds to a bad-tempered atmosphere in the House, but I will do my best not to link it,” said the rapporteur.
