What does Gualberto have to say about Proinveste?
Amid rumors of dissatisfaction within the government's base, a congressman, former leader of the Government in the Assembly, says he will only speak about the multi-million dollar Proinveste loan after its approval; he claims to be unaware of any discontent among government supporters; according to Brayner, this information was planted by the opposition; according to the Periscópio column in JC, there is even a risk of a decrease in Déda's support base.
Sergipe 247 – “I prefer not to talk about this subject. I will only give my opinion after the vote.” This is how state deputy Francisco Gualberto (PT) responded to a question from journalist Eugênio Nascimento about Proinveste, in an interview published in the Jornal da Cidade on Sunday/Monday (February 24 and 25). When the question was repeated, the parliamentarian maintained the same assertion.
What would the former Government leader in the Assembly be holding back to reveal after the project vote? Could speaking out now sour the understanding between the Government and the opposition? On Monday (18), when questioned about the project in a TV interview, Gualberto was evasive and said he was not following the process.
The following day, the first reports surfaced of alleged dissatisfaction within the government's base regarding the participation of opposition deputies in defining the projects included in the final loan agreement. Was Gualberto one of those dissatisfied?
To JC, he says he is unaware of any discontent within the base. "It's nonsense, it's a rumor," he retorts. According to journalist Diógenes Brayner, from the Plenário column of Correio de Sergipe, in the Sunday/Monday edition (February 24th and 25th), it would be a strategy of the opposition to spread this rumor to strengthen the narrative that the project was only approved thanks to adjustments made by the government's opponents who opened themselves to debate. However, the Periscópio column of JC says that there is even a risk of the allied base shrinking even further, given this supposed discontent.
This period leading up to the final agreements for loan approval is very delicate, indeed. As an experienced politician, Gualberto doesn't want to speak before the episode is resolved so as not to give ammunition to the opposition. But he is signaling that he does have something to say. He just won't reveal to whom his message will be addressed. Tensions in the Assembly promise to rise.