How the Opposition Imploded Agreement and Took Control of the INSS CPI

The government suffered a stunning defeat in the National Congress on Wednesday, 20, a setback that also impacts the presidents of the Chamber, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), and the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP). The opposition broke the pre-established agreements with the House leaders and orchestrated the replacement of the president and the rapporteur of the INSS CPI throughout the night.

Motta and Alcolumbre had decided that Senator Omar Aziz (PSD-AM) and federal deputy Ricardo Ayres (Republicanos-TO) would take up positions in the installation of the committee. Usually, the election of parliamentary inquiry committees is symbolic, as leaders suggest the names of the president, vice presidents, and the rapporteur, and the presidents of the Chamber and the Senate decide who will be the members.

This was settled until 11:30 am on Wednesday. Omar Aziz was already speaking as the president and even said he would lead the committee with dignity, responsibility, and autonomy. He also argued with Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), who called him a liar and biased – criticizing the work of the Amazonas senator in the COVID CPI in 2021.

Government senators and deputies went to the voting booth believing the election was settled. However, due to ‘betrayals’ and lack of support, Aziz was defeated, and the CPI saw Senator Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG) take over the presidency.

Aziz was visibly upset. He reproached his colleague Eliziane Gama (PSD-MA) for not being in the committee to cast her vote. The senator, however, stated that she had voted. It was actually Senator Renan Calheiros (MDB-AL), chosen as part of the government’s ‘shock troop,’ who was absent from the vote.

Senator Randolfe Rodrigues (PT-AP), the government’s leader in Congress, stated that Aziz’s defeat does not represent a setback for the government. He said that although he cannot schedule requests in the CPI – the president’s role – the base still holds the majority on the committee and will dictate the proceedings.

Government’s defeat, Bolsonarism’s victory
Upon assuming office, Carlos Viana appointed Deputy Alfredo Gaspar (União-AL) as the rapporteur, a ‘blow’ to Hugo Motta. The Chamber’s president had announced Ricardo Ayres for the position, who was already giving interviews and speaking as a member.

Bolsonarists celebrated the victory. The leader of the opposition in the Chamber, Zucco (PL-RS), stated that Motta erred by appointing a deputy who hadn’t even signed the request for the installation of the CPI, and that Wednesday’s election sends a message to the Chamber’s president that the Bolsonarist opposition can be organized.

Marcel van Hattem (Novo-RS) attributed the government’s defeat to the articulation of the PL leader in the Chamber, Deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante (RJ). According to the Rio Grande do Sul representative, Sóstenes called all the senators and deputies of the opposition – Bolsonarists and members of the Centrão – throughout the night to try to change the votes. The strategy worked, and Sóstenes emerged as the big winner of the day.

Now, the opposition will have control of the committee investigating the fraud scheme in the Social Security system. Embezzlements may amount to 6.3 billion reais, according to investigations by the Federal Police and the Office of the Comptroller General.

The CPI is expected to deepen the rift between the government and the opposition. The Planalto Palace believes that the investigation could reveal that the scheme was structured during Jair Bolsonaro’s (PL) administration, while the opposition seeks to erode Lula’s (PT) image.