Brazil’s Congress re-elects leaders in victory for Lula By Reuters

By Anthony Boadle and Maria Carolina Marcello

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil’s Congress on Wednesday re-elected the leaders of each chambers who had been backed by leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a victory that may assist him advance his legislative agenda and curb the affect of his right-wing opponents.

Senator Rodrigo Pacheco defeated an ally of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, successful 49 votes within the 82-member chamber to proceed as Senate president.

Lula’s center-left coalition celebrated the vote depend that will enable his authorities to push via constitutional amendments, equivalent to these wanted to vary Brazil’s tax regime and create a brand new fiscal anchor to steadiness authorities accounts.

Pacheco held his management job regardless of makes an attempt made by Bolsonaro to again senator Rogerio Marinho. Bolsonaro, who had remained silent in reclusion in Florida, spoke by phone on Monday to a gathering of his social gathering, the Liberal Occasion (PL), to spice up his former Cupboard minister’s marketing campaign.

Within the decrease home, Speaker Arthur Lira of the center-right Widespread Occasion (PP) gained re-election by a large margin, with the help of Lula’s Staff Occasion and its coalition companions, together with a few of Bolsonaro’s allies.

Lira, who gained 464 votes within the 513-seat home, had been an ally of Bolsonaro, however was fast to acknowledge Lula’s slender election victory in October and congratulate him, beginning a dialogue throughout the presidential transition.

Management of both chamber by the opposition may have hampered approval of Lula’s priorities, beginning with non permanent decrees he has signed that stretch social welfare funds for poor households and cut back taxes on fuels.

All laws should cross Lira’s desk to get began in Congress, together with impeachment motions, which Bolsonaro allies are already planning towards Lula.

Of their victory speeches, each congressional leaders strongly defended Brazil’s democratic system, which got here below assault from Bolsonaro supporters who stormed authorities buildings on Jan. 8 calling for a army coup to revive their chief who left the nation with out conceding defeat by Lula.

Pacheco, who rejected Bolsonaro’s criticism of Brazil’s digital voting system, mentioned the divided nation wants pacification and political concord.

However he added: “Pacification doesn’t imply remaining silent earlier than anti-democratic acts,” referring to the riots and calling for accountability.

Lira condemned the violence by Bolsonaro supporters.

“In at the moment’s Brazil there isn’t a extra space for individuals who assault the establishments that symbolize our democracy. This chamber won’t settle for, defend or endorse any act, speech or demonstration that violates democracy,” he mentioned.