“I’m a simple, rural guy. I understand horses and asphalt,” says Alerj acting president Guilherme Delalori

Since the arrest of his colleague Rodrigo Bacellar and his dismissal from the presidency of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj), State Deputy Guilherme Delaroli (PL), 1st Vice President of the House, has wanted to reaffirm his interim status. On the microphone, when he led the plenary sessions, he declared that he was “simply following the regimental rite”, that his role was that of vice-president and that the presidency “belonged to Bacellar”. Yesterday, after the announcement that Bacellar had requested a ten-day leave of absence, he transformed his position in the House, letting the interim protocol speech take command with “a firm pen.”

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Delaroli’s ascension to Alerj’s top post took place on Wednesday, after Bacellar’s arrest by the Federal Police, who are investigating suspicions of leaking confidential information. Reserve soldier of PMERJ, former coordinator in Itaboraí and elected with more than 114 thousand votes in 2022, the parliamentarian is now faced with the challenge of balancing the management of the Chamber in the middle of a political vacuum.

During plenary sessions, he was incisive, saying on the microphone that he was “simply performing the regimental rite”, that his role was that of vice-president and that the presidency “belonged to Bacellar”. The parliamentarian avoided any political interference and said he would not act until the formal notification from the Federal Court (STF) regarding the revocation was actually sent to his office. This position, described by allies as a “protocol” position, changed dramatically with Bacellar’s official statement regarding his leave. With the impeached president officially absent, Delaroli acted with the ease of a leader, signaling that he took up the pen of command: he accelerated the transition, called meetings and declared that he would make the changes he deemed necessary as long as he was in charge of the House.

Exceptional articulation and conversations

Delaroli’s new position was confirmed on Wednesday, in a meeting with Governor Cláudio Castro. The parliamentarian said the meeting was held to discuss issues of interest to Alerj, but he was categorical in saying Bacellar’s situation was not on the agenda.

Deputy Guilherme Delaroli — Photo: Guito Moreto

Delaroli also stressed that he has yet to speak to the impeached president — a topic he said should only be addressed after Bacellar’s leave ends, to resolve outstanding issues related to the presidency.

This Thursday, the change of command became more evident with the intense movement in the Delaroli office, which became a meeting point for Bacellar’s allies, such as the leader of the União bench and president of the CCJ, Rodrigo Amorim, and the deputies Alexandre Knoploch (PL) and Val Ceasa (PRD). Delaroli greeted everyone with conciliatory gestures, signaling an effort to maintain internal coordination of the political group that gravitated around the former president. The executive secretary of União Brasil, Márcio Bruno, was also present to discuss the transition between the teams, a step considered strategic in the new management. Although he took office amid a turbulent scenario, Delaroli maintained that his priority was work and not electoral politics. To simplify the situation, the acting president maintained his relaxed and humble tone: “I am a simple guy, a farmer and a farmer. I understand horses and asphalt,” he said, indicating that the emphasis, for the moment, is on the practical management of the House.

The brevity of Delaroli’s interim period will now depend on the decisions of the STF and the progress of the investigations involving Bacellar. In the meantime, the MP is trying to consolidate his authority in a context of political vacuum in Alerj.

How do you rate your presidency?

I will remain calm, serene and give priority to the issues that most interest the population. I see that the clash between the right and the left is very detrimental to Parliament and the important agendas of the House, because everyone wants to make their own speech. It’s natural, it’s democratic, but it often hinders the advancement of programs that will truly change the lives of our people. Therefore, my mission is to advance these programs to improve the situation. We are already experiencing a very difficult time in the State of Rio de Janeiro: a difficult time in terms of security, health and uncertainty. Unfortunately, what happened to President Bacellar happened. I had no vanity in being president, but God placed this mission in my life. These are things I can’t escape. I’ve never run from a fight. I admit that (assuming the presidency) hinders me a little in what I like to do the most, because I am a very active and work-related guy. I love being on the construction site, being on the construction site with my brother, traveling around the state, monitoring what’s right and what’s wrong. Now I see myself inside Alerj, having to analyze all the bills, dialogue with all the deputies, whether they are from the right or the left. This is all very new to me, but little by little we understand this and we manage it in the best possible way. »

You wanted to continue working in your office since everything happened. Do you intend to take over Alerj’s presidency of the cabinet or will there be any changes?

I called the President’s chief of staff Rodrigo Bacellar and talked to him so we could make a transition. After all, they were already there. I will carry out an administrative act and designate three people from my office to make this transition with the Bacellar team in the best possible way.

Do you also intend to modify certain positions of the presidential commission?

I am the acting president, that is, all positions related to the president must work with me. Rodrigo’s presidency has his team, the person who works with him. As I had assumed, all positions related to the presidency will be appointed by me. And it has already started. I will appoint my chief of staff to the presidency, the assistant to the president and the chief executive officer of the house. I’m going to see who’s who. So I will replace it with positions of trust for my people.

What changed when you became president. What were your proposals as an MP?

It’s all been very difficult, I didn’t expect this sudden change in my mandate, in my life, but it doesn’t change much.

How was your relationship with Governor Cláudio Castro?

I was with the governor yesterday, but we speak on the phone every day. I think we live in harmony. Powers must live in harmony and, of course, each with respect for the other. The governor was a person who helped my city (Itaboraí) a lot, I am very grateful for everything he did for the municipality. We cannot build anything in life if we do not have partners. Deputy Altineu Côrtes also helped the municipality a lot with amendments. The city’s bills are already paid thanks to the administration of Mayor Marcello Delaroli, who is of course my brother, and the partnership we have with everyone.

Have any mayors contacted you?

Yes, they are calling me. I already saw that President Bacelar created a bill covering all 92 municipalities with the money that the deputies saved from Alerj. The president of the CCJ, Rodrigo Amorim, created a bill and we voted for it. I discussed this project with the governor yesterday and he has already called me to let me know that he is signing it and that very soon we will transfer it to the municipalities.

Have you and the governor spoken to Bacelar about this situation or has this issue not been raised?

No, this matter did not occur between me and the governor. We only deal with government issues like Propag.

What do you think the political table will look like for next year?

Listen, I’m going to be very honest with you. I worry about now and today. Concerned about managing the house and the interests of our people. I have never been a politician. I had no intention of becoming a politician in my life. This happened with the support of my brother, Altineu and Castro. So, this part of the candidate, of the casting who will have the right to vote, I leave that to them. I am not discussing this subject. Give me a street to pave and I will pave it. Give me a neighborhood to redevelop and I’ll do it, understand?

Have you and Bacellar spoken at any time since he left?

There was no contact between me and President Bacellar. I expect this contact to occur when he returns from leave. He must resume his parliamentary activities here at home. This transition is happening now, through the administrative act that I have instructed my team to accomplish with theirs.