After a series of defeats in Congress, President Lula has made moves to improve relations with important political stakeholders and may have another member of the Supreme Court (STF) appointed by him. Finally, in another episode that reflects the problematic relations between the current government and the Armed Forces, Lula requested the dismissal of a Colonel appointed to the Brazilian Diplomatic Representation in the US.
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Improving Relations
On 6 June, at the opening of the Bahia Farm Show, President Lula (PT) made positive gestures to the agribusiness, a group with which relations have particularly deteriorated during the last government. He defended conciliation between small and large farmers and encouraged Brazilians to better coexist in society. On the occasion, the president announced investments of R$ 7.6 billion for agribusiness through the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES).
On 13 June, a new move was made by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), who said that he intends to carry out an agrarian reform in a “peaceful and tranquil” way. He also made another positive gesture to the agribusiness, saying the government should launch a new “Crop Plan” (Plano Safra), which is a set of funds to stimulate investments in agricultural production.
Pressure in Congress
Meanwhile, in Congress, the government continues to seek solution for the lack of support. In order for that to be feasible, the parties from the political group known as the “Centrão” – a powerful group of parties with no fixed allegiance – is demanding the leadership of the Health Ministry. Furthermore, another important party, União Brasil, demands the Tourism Ministry.
To solve this problem, the government will offer 400 positions in the ministries for people appointed by members of the Congress. He assured congressmen that a task force will be created to accelerate this process.
Zanin
Selected by President Lula (PT) for a seat on the STF, lawyer Cristiano Zanin has been talking to opposition senators, including evangelicals and supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, in search of support to be approved by the Senate.
The expectation is that Zanin will be questioned by the Commission on Constitution and Justice (CCJ) of the Senate on 28 June. After approval by the CCJ, the lawyer’s name can be voted on by all senators on the same day. Senators aligned with the government calculate that Zanin should have around 55 votes, 14 more than necessary.
The Colonel and the Coup
Federal Police experts found a kind of script for a coup d’état and plans for a declaration of a state of siege on the cell phone of Lieutenant-Colonel Mauro Cid, who was an assistant to then-President Jair Bolsonaro. In messages found on the cell phone, there were discussions about how to annul the result of the presidential election. Army Colonel Jean Lawand Junior, who at the time worked in the General Staff of the Army, was among the contacts that discussed with Cid and put pressure for a coup d’état.
According to media sources, after these facts became public, President Lula requested the commander of the Army and the Minister of Defense to “clean up” the Army, removing all soldiers who have any suspicion of participation in the coup plan. In addition, the Army annulled the appointment of Colonel Lawand to the Diplomatic Representation of Brazil in the United States, in Washington.
Source: Folha de SP [1], [2], [3], [4]; G1 [1], [2], [3], [4]; UOL; O Globo.
