Alcolumbre promises support for the government, but defends the Senate's independence: "The government's agenda will be fully respected."
"We will help with the government's agenda, but we want the right to say: we agree with this or we disagree with that," says the new president of the House.
247 - The new president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP), stated this Saturday (1) that the House "will help" the agenda of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's (PT) government, but highlighted that senators will have autonomy to debate and influence the Executive's decisions. The statements were made after the election that guaranteed Alcolumbre the leadership of the Senate for the next two years. The congressman received 73 of the 81 votes.
"The agenda that was elected in the last election was the agenda presented by the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). No senator has the authority to hinder the government's agenda," declared Alcolumbre. He emphasized, however, that the Legislative branch will have an active voice in the debate on the proposals. "The government's agenda will be fully respected; in fact, we will help with the government's agenda in whatever way is within the Parliament's purview. But we want the right to say: we agree with this or we disagree with that," he added.
Alcolumbre's election represents a shift in the Senate's stance towards the Presidential Palace. While Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), his predecessor, maintained alignment with the Lula government, Alcolumbre has signaled a more independent position. His candidacy received support from both the PL, the party of former president Jair Bolsonaro, and the PT, reflecting the search for consensus-based governance.
In his victory speech, the new Senate president stated that his goal is to "work in cohesion" with both the government and the opposition. He reinforced the importance of respecting differing opinions and defended the need to strengthen dialogue between different political spectrums.
"We will work side by side, supporting the government's agenda and Brazil's agenda, but also guaranteeing the independence and authority of senators who think differently. Each parliamentarian, with their expertise, can contribute to the country," he declared.
Alcolumbre criticized the lack of space for respectful political debate and said he wanted to act as a mediator. "I want to be a bridge. Unfortunately, I see that people are destroying bridges and we are left without a channel for dialogue. We need to sit at the table with civility, listen to opposing opinions without aggression, without offense, without attack. On the contrary, we can suggest, improve and guide so that things happen in the best possible way," he stated.
The Senate president also emphasized that the House will not merely be an instance for validating proposals coming from the government. "We will support the right things, correct errors, and help the Executive branch in any way possible. But the Legislative branch has the right to set and pursue its own agenda, with effective participation. We are not here just to say yes or no," Alcolumbre concluded.
