The president (PT) decided to send this Tuesday (31) the communication formalizing the appointment of , Minister of the Attorney General of the Union, to the (Supreme Federal Court). , but it had not been formalized.
The government faced an impasse that involved the president of the Senate, (União Brasil-AP), who resisted the name of Messiah. The initial preference was for the name of the senator (-MG).
Although Messias’ name had been publicly announced at the end of last year, Lula decided to hold off on sending the official statement to have more time for political articulation for Messias’ hearing in the Senate.
In a press release this Tuesday, Messias stated that the moment “requires understanding” and that he will seek senators again to discuss the nomination. “I will continue my journey in the Senate with humility and faith. I will continue my commitment to pacification and stability,” he said.
“As a legal professional, I have always valued dialogue and conciliation as the best ways to resolve conflicts. I will reaffirm my commitment to these credentials,” said Messias.
The delay in sending became a tool to prevent Alcolumbre from working for a quick defeat of Messias and also to allow the expansion of negotiations around the name of the Union’s attorney general.
Last November, the president of the Senate arrived shortly after Lula’s announcement, but was forced to cancel the date for the process — as part of the strategy to gain more time.
The documentation will now begin the official process of analyzing the name of Messiah for the Supreme Court.
With the articulations with the House and direct conversations between Lula and Alcolumbre from November until now, the government hopes for a better reception of the attorney general’s name by the senators.
The government assessment, however, as shown by the Sheet.
On condition of anonymity, Alcolumbre’s allies stated that, contrary to the government’s thermometer, resistance to Lula’s nominee grew as investigations into the Banco Master scheme progressed, with the revelation of the involvement of center leaders in the scandal.
In parallel, ministers from the Supreme Court themselves joined the campaign in favor of Messias in recent months, including the two nominated by former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), André Mendonça and Kassio Nunes Marques. The court’s dean, Gilmar Mendes, and minister Cristiano Zanin also defended Messias, according to reports.
Previously, Alcolumbre even used strong words to refer to the lack of formal communication of the nomination by Planalto. Without this bureaucratic step, the Senate cannot decide whether or not to accept the nominee. The delay gave Messias more time to campaign.
Over time, Lula also discussed the issue with the government leader in the Senate, (PT-BA), and the president of the CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission), Otto Alencar (-BA), at a lunch on March 18th. According to reports, Otto told the president that Messias has a good chance of being approved.
Messias’ confirmation depends on the approval of at least 41 of the 81 senators, in a secret vote. There was resistance in the House, which threatened to move forward with agendas contrary to the interests of the Lula government.
Alcolumbre was the main defender of Pacheco’s nomination. During the speech about the date of the hearing, he subtly expressed his dissatisfaction with the way Lula handled the choice of Messiah.
Lula’s choice for Messias, a House that has been his main source of governance since the beginning of the current term.
At the time he was chosen by the president, Messias, who is evangelical, supportive and stated that he would “repay that trust with dedication, integrity and institutional zeal.” The minister, an evangelical and nominated to the STF by, praised Lula’s appointment, and said it was a “qualified name for the AGU and which meets the constitutional requirements”.
Head of , Messias was considered the favorite for the position since the announcement of Barroso’s retirement, due to his closeness to the president. Gilmar Mendes, Alexandre de Moraes and Flávio Dino, from the STF, and the Senate leadership, however, from Pacheco, who is a lawyer.
