Take care, João da Costa

Bruna Cavalcanti_PE247 - Yesterday, tensions rose between the different blocs that make up the government's bench in the Recife City Council. On one side, the government leader, councilman Luiz Eustáquio (PT), and on the other, the group formed by the PSB, PSD, and PTN. They disagreed on the possibility of summoning the city's Finance Secretary, Petrônio Magalhães, to clarify the reason for the early renewal of the contract for the payment of the payroll of civil servants with Banco do Brasil. The PT member believed that the measure would not be justified, while the others defended the request in the plenary session – which was submitted by opposition councilwoman Aline Mariano (PSDB).

This critical tone from the PSB, PSD, and PTN bloc shouldn't be limited to their actions in the plenary of the José Mariano House. The council members of this group should also give Mayor João da Costa a hard time in the evaluation of the Executive's projects in the Chamber. “Within the bloc, we will align the path among all members, but with the absolute guarantee of our independence. The critical sense of each council member must exist at all times. In my case, I have always had a very clear stance since the beginning of my term: I have never voted for or supported the João da Costa administration. I don't agree with his administration or with what he does in the city. And it's not just me,” stated council member Maré Malta (PSD).

The PSD member also said that there is not only the stance of independence – assumed by some councilors from João da Costa's allied base. “There is opposition even within the government's own base. João da Costa cannot build unity around his name and his party. Today, my candidate would be Minister Fernando Bezerra Coelho (PSB),” the parliamentarian stated openly.

Given this scenario, and with the caveat that each member will act individually on issues of interest to the Executive branch, many believe that the bloc could indeed hinder the voting on important agendas for the city hall, such as the government budget, the plan for the reorganization of commercial properties, NGOs and churches, and, especially, the controversial city hall mobility project. And, as far as councilman Maré Malta (PSD) is concerned, this could indeed happen. “We will be open to dialogue, but we have to consider what is best for the city. We can vote against it if we consider that the presented project will not bring benefits to the population. The formation of the bloc is legal and may cause some inconvenience because the bloc is the majority,” says the councilman.

Given the absolute guarantee that each member will be able to act according to their own political interests, councilwoman Marília Arraes (PSB), leader of the bloc, is keen to calm tempers and reaffirm that the group's absence is no reason to threaten Mayor João da Costa (PT).

“We are for peace. Furthermore, from the beginning we made it clear that we are part of the government's bloc. But being part of the base doesn't mean agreeing entirely with everything that is happening. We can show other alternatives. Our position is to be more constructive than before,” warns the councilwoman. Regarding the projects that will be voted on in plenary, the PSB leader reassures the PT members again. According to Marília, all the agendas will still be discussed internally with each council member. “I don't see any threat from the bloc regarding future votes. We are still analyzing our position regarding the amendments, for example. No position will be as conflicting as what the government's base thinks. All members will take a position at the appropriate time,” concludes Marília.

The PTN, the last party to join the bloc with the PSB and PSD, made the already strong alliance even more overwhelming. With the participation of 12 councilors, the new group holds a majority in the plenary. For councilor Gilberto Alves (PTN), more than a political contribution, the union between the three parties opens space for a new series of dialogues among all members of the City Council, something that had been somewhat forgotten until then.

“Before this formation, there was a significant lack of debate. At some point, João da Costa even took the initiative to approach the group. But this approach wasn't permanent. We needed to shake things up. Now, we are organizing some seminars to analyze practical and important issues, such as the mobility plan and the city hall's budget project. We might vote against it at some point, but we don't intend to position ourselves as either the opposition or the government. What we want is to discuss all of this with complete freedom,” says Gilberto Alves.