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Brazilian ex presidents discussing the outcome of the political situation

Thursday, May 25th 2017 - 20:45 UTC
Full article 35 comments
Fernando Henrique Cardoso is in charge of contacts with Gilmar Mendes (R), head of the Electoral Superior Tribunal Fernando Henrique Cardoso is in charge of contacts with Gilmar Mendes (R), head of the Electoral Superior Tribunal
Lula da Silva ruled Brazil for eight years and despite several corruption investigations leads in public opinion polls Lula da Silva ruled Brazil for eight years and despite several corruption investigations leads in public opinion polls
Jose Sarney, the first president following the 20-year military dictatorship has met with Temer at the Planalto Palace  Jose Sarney, the first president following the 20-year military dictatorship has met with Temer at the Planalto Palace

Three ex Brazilian presidents are holding talks on the future of the country following what seems the inevitable outcome of the current political situation with deep differences between the political system and the Judiciary.

 Fernando Henrique Cardoso who ruled Brazil from mid nineties to 2002, Lula da Silva, 2002/2010 and Jose Sarney, 1985/1990 are reported by local media to have met (or their representatives) several times in Sao Paulo and Brasilia, and are acting at different levels in search for a consensus on the country's political future and current president Michel Temer's condition.

Cardoso, head of PSDB, the main ally of the ruling PMDB, has been in contact with Gilmar Mendes, president of the Superior Electoral Tribunal, which in early June might determine the end of Temer's term, because as vice president of the winning ticket with ex president Dilma Rousseff in 2014, they were involved in strong illegal unreported financing of the presidential campaign, annulling their victory.

The three groups likewise are very prudent in their conversations as not to disappoint any of the many parties in the Brazilian chaotic political system, with over a third of Congress members suspected of having received illegal payments or contributions from companies involved in major corruption schemes as those under investigation in Petrobras, the global meatpacking giant JBS and the national development bank, BNDES, which has a greater turnover than the World Bank.

Senator Jorge Viana from the Workers Party, (PT), led by ex president Lula da Silva, is in charge of contacts with PSDB and PMDB. However PT is committed to holding a presidential election, NOW, “Direitas Ja”, recalling the 1983/84 street demonstrations calling for elections to put an end to 20 years of military dictatorship.

But also because Lula, who leads opinion polls in the first round of a potential snap election, could see his chances aborted if he is finally sentenced on several corruption cases for which he has been indicted.

Anyhow advancing the presidential election means amending the Brazilian constitution which needs of special congressional majorities, and much negotiation in a divided country, with a shocked public opinion that feels cheated by the extent of corruption surfaced in the political system.

Finally Jose Sarney, the first president after the end of the military dictatorship, and ex PMDB leader, is more prudent and conciliatory. He has been several times this week at the Executive Planalto palace, and believes president Temer should complete the year and a half remaining to the presidential election in October 2018. This would also mean congressional approval of tough labor and pensions reforms to put some order into the Brazilian government spending.

Categories: Politics, Brazil.

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  • :o))

    REF: “Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Lula da Silva, and Jose Sarney, are reported by local media to have met several times, and are in search for a consensus on the political future and Michel Temer's condition”:

    Nice to know that Brazil is in good hands of the FOUR Godfathers [one can't leave out Collor!].: https://i0.wp.com/www.humorpolitico.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Corroido-por-ratos.jpg?resize=580%2C365

    May 26th, 2017 - 11:21 am 0
  • Jack Bauer

    @:o))
    Good observation....why leave Collor out ? in what way, were his crimes - which lead to his impeachment in 1992 - any less worse than those that Lula is being accused of - in 6 Federal cases , and about to be condemned in the first (still to be ruled upon)...
    Sarney's reputation has been long tarnished by his actions and those of his family oligarchy that has dictated the rules in Maranhão for the last 60 years, not to mention he has also been denounced in the “Lavajato”....FHC, while having kept his nose relatively clean, is the only one left, who still commands some respect amongst most Brazilians.
    It is a sad state of affairs when it boils down to the fact that some people still think Sarney and Lula are worthwhile being listened to....Sarney just wants to save his butt, and Lula is only interested in manipulating events so that he can escape Moro's claws, and run for president in 2018....and re-install his gang in government.

    May 26th, 2017 - 03:57 pm 0
  • Brasileiro

    You live by crimes, not honesty.

    You make Brazil smaller, as you are.

    May 26th, 2017 - 07:30 pm 0
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