Erika Hilton’s performance at the head of the Women’s Commission intensifies the electoral clash

Traditionally outside the center of political disputes in the Chamber, the Commission for the Defense of Women’s Rights began to focus on a conflict with potential electoral impact after the election of deputy Erika Hilton (Psol-SP) to the presidency of the collegiate. Parliamentarians from left-wing parties assess that the controversy is being exploited by the opposition at an important moment in the political calendar, with the potential to reach female voters, considered strategic for the presidential dispute.

Members of the government camp, in this context, have adopted caution in the face of the escalation of the conflict, avoiding expanding the controversy.

The first trans woman to hold the position, Hilton took office under opposition from opposition parliamentarians, who began to make the issue central, including on social media. The main point of divergence involves questions about the deputy’s gender. Right-wing parliamentarians argue that she does not have the “legitimacy” to preside over the commission, an argument rejected by allies, who classify the criticism as discriminatory.

The assessment of the electoral impact takes place in a scenario of fluctuations in government approval among women. A Quaest survey released in March showed an increase in government disapproval in this segment, while approval fell compared to previous months.

Since Hilton’s choice to lead the collegiate, marked by blank votes in protest, opposition deputies have intensified the challenge. After the first session chaired by the deputy, the group announced the presentation of an appeal to try to annul the election and representation on the Chamber’s Ethics Council.

In a press conference in the Green Room, parliamentarians displayed t-shirts with phrases such as “we are not imbeciles” and “we are not sewers”, in reference to a post by Hilton on social media after taking office.

At the time, the deputy stated that she did not care about the opinions of “transphobes and imbeciles” and said that critics could “kick” and “bark”. During the session, she stated that the statement referred to attacks received on the internet, and not to parliamentarians.

The conflict also advanced to the institutional field. The opposition leader, deputy Cabo Gilberto (PL-PB), presented a project to restrict the presidency of the commission to cisgender female deputies, excluding the possibility of choosing a trans woman.

Session has exchange of attacks and delays votes

The first meeting under Hilton’s command was marked by impasses surrounding the inclusion of requests on the agenda. At the opening, the president informed that some requests presented by opposition deputies had not been included because they did not meet regulatory criteria.

The parliamentarians, in turn, contested the decision and stated that their prerogatives were curtailed.

— This restricts the exercise of the prerogatives of the members of this commission — said deputy Chris Tonietto (PL-RJ).

Part of the requests dealt with expressions of rejection of Hilton’s statements on social media, which expanded the debate on the topic during the session. Hilton, on the other hand, stated that there was no merit analysis and indicated that the requests could be reevaluated.

Opposition deputies also criticized the use of technical criteria to block requests.

— If Your Excellency is placing the blame on the technicians, it is wrong, because it is a political decision. And I’m sure that (it’s an) ideological policy, like assuming this presidency, disrespecting women — said the parliamentarian from Santa Catarina, said congresswoman Júlia Zanatta (PL-SC) — There’s no point in coming here if you pay for the technique.

Parliamentarians aligned with the president reacted, pointing out an attempt to obstruct the work.

— We do not intend to contradict each of the unfortunately provocative statements. Because here we see a clear intention of obstruction, of an attempt to make the work of the commissions unfeasible — said deputy Fernanda Melchionna (Psol-RS).

Due to the impasse, the session was delayed in opening the agenda, which was only opened more than an hour and a half after the start of the session, delaying the vote on the projects on the agenda.

Presidency withdraws requests and releases agenda

Given the lack of agreement, Hilton decided to suspend work for five minutes. Upon return, he ordered the withdrawal, ex officio, of all the requests under discussion to allow the agenda to move forward. Some of them dealt with the invitation to the Minister of Women and a request for research into the creation of a misogynistic game by students at the Aeronautical Technological Institute.

— The Women’s commission needs to move forward. It cannot be the refusal of a request that stops work. We have an important agenda,” he said.

The decision allowed the start of project analysis, but did not end the differences. Throughout the session, parliamentarians maintained criticism of the conduct of the work and the content of the president’s speeches.

Deputies from the base classified opposition speeches as “transphobic”, while members of the opposition stated that they were being labeled due to political differences.

After the meeting, opposition deputies announced new measures to challenge Hilton’s permanence in office and the assessment among parliamentarians and right-wing interlocutors is that the episode should continue to be explored politically in the coming weeks, especially on social media and in the electoral context.