Without the chairmanship of any Senate committee, the opposition intensified negotiations to dismember collegiate bodies and get leadership positions. The president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), says he is evaluating the possibility, but the movement has not convinced the leaders of the two blocs, formed by parties from the base of the current government.
Senators from the Vanguarda Block — composed of PL, PP and Republicans — suggested the dismemberment of commissions such as Infrastructure Services; Education, Culture and Sport; and Social Affairs.
The lack of definition may lead to the judicialization of the case.
The main claim is for the Infrastructure Services Commission to be dismembered to create a collegiate on Mines and Energy, as in the Chamber. “Minas e Energia is a very important commission, perhaps it is one of the most important in the Chamber, and it brings a very important issue here in the Senate”, declared the leader of the Minority, Ciro Nogueira (PP-PI). “President Pacheco should define this by the end of this week for dismemberment next week,” he added.
Senator Carlos Portinho (PL-RJ) also states that the issue of sports should be dealt with by an exclusive collegiate. “We have several topics, such as electronic sports, sports betting, the General Sports Law itself, which is being discussed in the Chamber, the Olympics,” he said. The creation of a specific commission for Health is another suggestion.
“It’s a question of good will. If there is no gesture, we’ll go in there with another movement”, stated Portinho. The dismemberment proposal has already been on the negotiating table for three weeks and still has not been defined.
According to Pacheco, the claim exists. “But for now, we haven’t decided that yet. We’re going to make that assessment,” he said. Behind the scenes, however, the leaders of the parties that form the base show no interest in creating collegiate bodies to meet the interests of the opposition.
Senators with whom the report spoke affirm that the moment for this negotiation should have been during the elections for the presidency of the Senate. However, the opposition preferred to run for the highest office in the house rather than reach a political agreement. Now, he finds it difficult to dialogue.
The leader of the PT in the house, Senator Fabiano Contarato (ES), alleges that the opening of commissions would generate expenses. “Without going into the merits of what the opposition wants, I believe that the commissions as they are today are fully functional. It is also not possible to compare the dynamics of the Chamber with that of the Senate. There are 513 deputies and 81 senators. I don’t see the reason for more commissions” , completed.
Leader of the Senate Majority, Renan Calheiros (MDB-AL) believes it is possible to hand over vice-presidential positions to the opposition instead of creating collegiate bodies. This alternative is not seen as sufficient by the opposition.
“The important thing is the chairmanship of the commissions, and I believe that this is a necessity. Commissions can be dismembered, and I see Pacheco’s good will”, maintains Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ).
Judicialization
Faced with the lack of a positive nod, the Vanguarda Bloc senators plan to trigger the Federal Supreme Court (STF) to question the constitutionality of the exclusion. The Constitution says that “proportional representation of parties or parliamentary blocs is ensured as far as possible” in congressional committees.
Flávio Bolsonaro and Portinho state that this is a possible path. “If there is no gesture, we have the judicialization”, he said.
However, there is divergence regarding the movement. “I am against judicializing”, said senator Hamilton Mourão (Republicanos-RS). When asked by the report about believing that the non-contemplation of the opposition’s claim for presidencies in the committees could accentuate the polarization within the house, the senator said: “The world turns and will continue to turn. Nothing like one day after another”.