The Labor Party is working in the Chamber to anticipate the selection of the next vacancy in the TCU (Federal Court of Audit) and to try to ensure compliance with the agreement signed in the election for the Presidency of the House of Representatives. The strategy is to hold the vote this year, to prevent the issue from being tainted by the 2026 electoral debate, when the majority of deputies tend to run against Lula’s government.
In 2024, the then president of the chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL) and the current president, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), agreed to help the PT elect a representative to the court in exchange for supporting the candidacy of the current president of the Chamber of Deputies. The man from Alagoas confirmed the agreement in an interview with Bound.
However, other major parties, such as União Brasil and PSD, did not participate in this agreement and claimed that they would have their own nominations. At least five representatives are already moving behind the scenes.
The vacancy will open in February 2026 with the retirement of Minister Aroldo Cedraz, and there are disagreements about the timing of choosing a successor. Labor defends holding the vote in advance, while other candidates counter that this is only possible when TCU notifies the chamber of the vacancy.
Labor Party members and leaders from the center say that for now the agreement still stands. However, parliamentarians interviewed for the report said that the significant dissatisfaction felt by MPs towards the PT and the Planalto Palace could harm the agreement or even make the agreement unfeasible. Therefore, there is a request from Labor members to address this issue this year. The parliamentary recess begins on December 23.
As revealed BoundMota broke with the leader of the Workers’ Party, Lindbergh Farias (RJ). Close allies of the Chamber President speak of a very bad climate with the executive branch. They accuse the government of not adhering to the agreements, especially in paying the costs of the amendments, and say that Palacio do Planalto acted in order to erode the image of the House of Representatives in public opinion.
Today, the PT candidate is MP Odair Cunha (MG), who was party leader last year and one of the organizers of the party’s support for Motta’s candidacy. Odair is close to centrist leaders, such as Mota himself and the leader of the People’s Party, Doutor Luizinho (RJ). It is seen as having a moderate nature and open to dialogue and action between various parties, which would reduce opposition resistance.
According to an MP following the talks, a group of Labor Party members and Center members meet periodically to discuss political issues, including candidacy for TCU membership. According to him, parliamentarians are monitoring and counting the votes Odair has in the council.
Today, the same parliamentarian said that there is sufficient support to elect a Labor Party member, with about 270 votes. But he stresses that it is necessary to monitor the issue closely. In order for the nominated name to be approved, it must obtain a majority of votes (257) in one round and in the secret ballot. The chosen person also needs the approval of the Senate.
A leader from the center says that for him the agreement still stands. However, he stated that there was a risk that O’Dwyer would become the “new Jorge Messias”, referring to the difficulties faced by the President of the AGU (Prosecutor General of the Federation) in the Senate to approve his name for a vacant position on the STF (Supreme Federal Court).
He comments that, just as Mesías is at risk of being rejected due to a political factor, the same could happen with Odair if there is no softening of the Chamber of Deputies’ relationship with Planalto.
Another cardinal from the center says he does not see a suitable climate to approve the name of the Workers’ Party. It is noteworthy that Motta stated that he wants to adhere to the agreement, but he sees difficulties in convincing parliamentarians.
Odair’s allies say he was banking on the rhetoric that the TCU vacancy is a council issue rather than a dispute between the government and the opposition.
Moreover, they recall, the MP sought to distance himself from the differences between the government and the Congress and made gestures to the Assembly leadership. Odair, for example, was one of the 12 Labor MPs who voted for the PEC in Blindagem, causing pressure on public opinion and on the government itself.
They also claim that they believe the agreement will be preserved, because it relates to Mota’s election to the council and not the current political circumstances. This position is for life, with compulsory retirement at age 75, a salary of R$41,800 per month and the power to decide on government contracts and tenders.
The agreement was reached with the parties that supported Mota from the first moment of the conflict: PP, Republicans, MDB, PL, Podemos, PSDB-Cidadania, PDT and PSB, among others.
In the PSD and União Brasil, which maintained nominations to succeed Lira and did not participate in the agreement, those applying for the vacant position are Elmar Nascimento (União Brasil-BA), Danilo Forte (União Brasil-CE). and Hugo Leal (PSD-RJ).
Danilo Forte says that the estimate that Odair will receive 270 votes is a “Pharaonic” estimate and that the debate has not actually begun. “No one sees the possibility of voting for the government candidate. The Labor Party has always been against the agenda for pushing (parliamentary) amendments and against the independence of Parliament.”
Opposition representatives say the group may also launch a candidate. Behind the scenes, the name of Helio Lopez (PL-RJ), an ally of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), is being mentioned.
O’Dwyer’s allies are also advocating for Labor to persuade Labor minister Augusto Nardis to postpone his scheduled retirement in 2027. This is because with two vacancies, it would be easier to put Labour’s name on one of them. The other could be in the center.