The president () demanded this Saturday (23) an action by the acting governor of , , against militias and in the state.
“Do you know what these people expect from you in these months? I work to arrest all the thieves who governed this state and deputies who are part of an organized militia,” said Lula during a speech at Fiocruz, in Rio.
The declaration took place during the inauguration ceremony of the new CDTS (Health Technological Development Center) facilities.
In the middle of his speech, Lula interrupted his speech to call Couto to the stage. The interim governor took charge of the state after the resignation of (), who left the position to run for the Senate.
The actions of the Cláudio Castro (PL) administration, which began to publicly react to information about the audits. The former governor was also targeted.
President of the Rio Court of Justice, Couto arrived at the Guanabara Palace on March 24th. He remains in office by decision of the (Federal Supreme Court), which has not yet determined how the new buffer governor will be chosen, to complete his term of office by the end of this year.
The determination changed the provision of the state Constitution, since on April 14th the Alerj (Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro) elected the deputy (PL) as president of the Legislature, a position that is ahead of the president of the Court of Justice in the line of succession. Members of the PL claim that the scenario resembles a judicial intervention in the management of Rio de Janeiro.
When introducing the governor, Lula highlighted that he did not come from electoral politics. “It is not possible for this powerful, thriving State to be governed by militiamen. The people of Rio do not deserve this,” he declared.
Lula also said that he was afraid that the next governor’s decision would be taken by the Legislative Assembly. “When this process began, I said: ‘If the Assembly nominates, the same person will come’. If the Assembly had to nominate, a militia member would come,” he stated.
During his speech, the president said he hoped that Couto would take advantage of his time at the helm of government to “help repair this state.” “Do what a lot of people haven’t done in ten years,” he declared.
Lula also promised the federal government’s support to the interim governor in the fight against organized crime. This month, “Brazil Against Organized Crime”, a package of actions aimed at public security. There will be R$11 billion for the area, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Of the total, R$10 billion are in credit for actions in the sector, and R$1 billion directly from the federal budget, executed through the FNSP (National Public Security Fund).
According to , the program was designed with four main axes: combating arms trafficking, financial suffocation of factions, qualifying investigations to resolve homicides and serious crimes, in addition to strengthening the prison system.
Brazil Against Organized Crime foresees the issuance of a decree and at least four ordinances detailing the actions. The proposal regulates points of the so-called Antifaction PL, and articulates operational and financing measures.
A dear topic for the president in this year’s elections, the defense of security should be one of the main points of contention in the campaign, and has been intensified in President Lula’s conversations and actions in recent months. The PT member seeks to create a brand for his management in this sector.
