Could the Workers' Party (PT) remove Michel Temer from office?
It would be the ideal way out for the governor of Pernambuco, who is not doing well in the polls in his attempt to run for the presidency in 2014. The vice-presidency would certainly serve as a springboard for 2018.
More important than Governor Sérgio Cabral's threat to support Aécio Neves if the PT does not withdraw Senator Lindbergh Farias' candidacy for governor of Rio de Janeiro is the tense climate between the PMDB and the government. It is unlikely that other governors from Cabral's party would follow his example if they needed to face PT candidates next year. Even the governor of Rio de Janeiro will think twice before leaving the bloc supporting President Dilma's reelection.
The danger in this simmering confrontation is the counter-argument that many comrades may organize. What is it? The threat of removing Michel Temer from the winning ticket in 2010.
Lula's head is in a constant state of turmoil, as he acts as an oracle and commander-in-chief of the PT (Workers' Party). What if the former president were to engage in an operation to present a pure ticket, that is, another PT member for vice-president? How about Aloisio Mercadante? Or, even more forcefully, why not seek out Eduardo Campos for the ticket? It would be the ideal solution for the governor of Pernambuco, who is not doing well in the polls in his attempt to run for the presidency in 2014. The vice-presidency would certainly serve as a springboard for 2018.
What is striking in this discussion, currently confined to Rio de Janeiro, is the weakness of the candidate Sergio Cabral wants to promote, his deputy Petecão. Is he afraid of a contest with Lindbergh? Does the governor intend to win through legal maneuvering? Talking about democracy is one thing, practicing it is quite another.
From his vast experience, José Sarney recommends giving it time. It shouldn't be forgotten that on the day of the transfer of power from Lula to Dilma, Sarney was the only politician to leave the ceremony and accompany the now former president to São Bernardo. The two are very close and, even without fanfare, have been meeting. The hopes of the PMDB's leading figures rest on the senator's mustache.