Sabino defends cutting positions in the centrist bloc: "you can't be married and live like a single person"
The Minister of Tourism criticizes allies who voted against the IOF (Tax on Financial Operations) bill and says that parties in the government's base need to choose between supporting the government or remaining in opposition.
247 - The Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino (União Brasil-PA), defended this Monday (13) the government's decision to cut positions of allies who voted against the provisional measure (MP) of IOF, removed from the agenda of the Chamber of Deputies last Wednesday (8).
The statement was made after a meeting with the Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, Geraldo Alckmin, in Brasília.
"It's impossible to be married and live like a single person."
When questioned about the punishments applied by the government to allied parties that contradicted the directives of the Presidential Palace, Sabino used a direct metaphor. "I personally think you can't be married and live like a bachelor," the minister stated, referring to the behavior of parties that hold positions in the Executive branch but vote against matters of interest to the government.
The statement was interpreted as a criticism of the "centrão," a political bloc that has been increasing pressure on the government for more space and resources, but which, according to the minister, needs to demonstrate loyalty in congressional votes.
Staying in government and focusing on COP30
Despite pressure from União Brasil, which demanded the resignation of members from positions in the federal government, Sabino confirmed that he will remain in his post. He justified his decision by citing his responsibility to ongoing projects, especially preparations for COP30, which will take place in Belém (PA) next month.
“I need to have a lot of responsibility and public sense so as not to abandon government projects and not cause harm to the Brazilian nation. Because of this main reason that made me remain in the government, I am focused on this. In the coming days, my party will be called COP30,” said the minister.
Relationship with União Brasil and risk of expulsion
Sabino confirmed that União Brasil has opened a process that could lead to his expulsion from the party, but stated that he will try to dialogue with the national leadership to explain his position. “I have appealed to my party to understand this situation. I explained the projects that are underway. I am currently the president of the Executive Council of UN Tourism, the first Brazilian in this position, and I am a candidate for re-election. We can bring this mandate back to Brazil once again this November,” he declared.
The minister also criticized the premature start of electoral discussions: "I showed that it's not the time to talk about the 2026 election yet."
Party crisis and precedents
The União Brasil party, which recently formed a federation with the Progressive Party (PP), decided to push for internal punishments for ministers who disobeyed the party's guidelines. The PP also ordered the removal of the Minister of Sports, André Fufuca, from all party decisions and announced intervention in the Maranhão state directory.
With his statements this Monday, Sabino reinforced his alignment with the government and signaled that, for him, holding positions should be conditional on political loyalty and commitment to delivering public services.
