Hugo Motta will need to resolve the impasse between MDB and União Brasil regarding the rapporteurship of the 2026 Budget.
Even with the approval of the 2025 budget still pending, political parties are already beginning to organize to control next year's finances.
247 - In his first major challenge as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB) will need to resolve a deadlock between MDB and União Brasil, who are vying for the rapporteurship of the 2026 Budget, reports... g1The position is one of the most coveted in the National Congress, as it involves all of the federal government's expenses for the coming year.
The rapporteurship for the 2025 budget went to a senator, and now, by regulation, the position of rapporteur for the 2026 budget will be assigned to a congressman. Therefore, the effort to secure the 2026 rapporteurship also involved Motta's support.
The União Brasil party was slow to align itself with Motta's candidacy for the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies due to an internal conflict involving the party's former leader, Elmar Nascimento (União-BA), who also aspired to the presidency. It was then that the MDB reached an agreement with Motta to secure the position of rapporteur for the Budget. Despite this, some parliamentarians from União Brasil do not rule out the possibility of the dispute being revived.
Although Elmar withdrew his candidacy for president, he secured an important position on the Chamber's Board of Directors, the second vice-presidency. However, part of União Brasil continues to pressure for the rapporteurship, with the name of Damião Feliciano (União-PB) being defended by some as the ideal candidate for the post. Feliciano relinquished the race for the leadership of the caucus in favor of Pedro Lucas, as part of an agreement within the party.
Behind the scenes, it's rumored that, despite internal pressure from União Brasil for Feliciano to be chosen, Antonio Rueda, the party's president, might prefer someone more directly aligned with him to fill the rapporteurship. "Rueda wants to create a bloc in the Chamber that reflects his image," commented a close ally.
On the other hand, within the MDB party, discussions are focused on maintaining the agreement with Hugo Motta so that the rapporteurship truly belongs to the party, as established. For the MDB members, the agreement is finalized, and any other issue, such as a possible ministerial reshuffle, should not interfere with this arrangement.
If the MDB is confirmed as the rapporteur, União Brasil should take over the presidency of the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ), one of the most influential committees in the Chamber, according to an agreement signed in 2023 between the two parties. The rotation between the parties in the presidency of the CCJ is already defined for 2025 and 2026.
PL charges for space - However, the PL is also keeping a close eye on developments. Sóstenes Cavalcante (PL-RJ), the new leader of the caucus, did not rule out the possibility of his party seeking the presidency of the CCJ again, reiterating that the PL, the largest caucus in the House, has the right to make the first choices for the committees. The party is due to meet next Tuesday (4) to discuss its priorities, which could alter the ongoing negotiations.
