Maia says Temer will have 'difficulties' blocking new charges.

247 - The Speaker of the House, Rodrigo Maia (DEM-RJ), stated that Michel Temer will face "difficulties" in blocking the charges that will be analyzed by the House in the coming weeks.

Maia made the statement during a dinner with senators opposed to the government, organized by Senator Kátia Abreu (PMDB-TO). According to accounts from four participants at the meeting, Maia said he believes Temer will have enough votes to overturn the formal accusation from the Attorney General's Office, but pointed out that the government made mistakes in its relationship with its allies and, therefore, will find a less favorable environment in the plenary than in the first accusation presented against him.

Those who attended the dinner included Renan Calheiros (PMDB-AL), Jorge Viana (PT-AC), and Vanessa Grazziotin (PCdoB-AM), as well as deputies from Temer's allied base who are close to Maia.

The Speaker of the House reinforced his statement that he does not intend to interfere in the vote on the charges against Temer for criminal organization and obstruction of justice. However, he echoed some of the criticisms made against the government by both allied and opposition parliamentarians.

Maia reported that he warned Temer and Minister Moreira Franco (Secretary-General of the Presidency) in early August, when the first accusation against the president was blocked in the Chamber of Deputies, that this moment represented the rebirth of the government and that it was necessary to create a new administration for the country. He said he believed that the Presidential Palace had not carried out this refounding.