With a request for leave, the deputy seeks coordination to remain in office or appoint a successor as president of Alerj

• Rodrigo Bacellar: the MP decides to take leave from his duties until the start of the holidays and postpones his resignation for fear of new developments at the STF
• Dispute over the succession of Rodrigo Bacellar: the crisis causes arguments and tensions between right-wing deputies in Alerj

Rodrigo Bacellar was arrested on suspicion of disclosing confidential information about a federal police operation that targeted state deputy Thiego Raimundo dos Santos Silva, known as TH Jóias, accused of links to the Comando Vermelho criminal faction. The uncertainties regarding his fate affect the future of state politics: before being arrested, the president of Alerj was the direct replacement of the governor, during his possible absences, and was named by Cláudio Castro himself as a candidate to succeed him in this position.

Bacellar’s allies are trying to convince him that the best way to keep control of the House would be to resign from the presidency, appointing as successor someone from his political group – his current situation, of dismissal defined by the STF, reinforces the uncertainty of the scenario. The position is occupied by Vice President Guilherme Delaroli (PL), who, according to regulations, cannot assume the role of governor. In April next year, it could, for example, be up to the incumbent of the Alerj presidency to order the indirect election of a governor for a “buffer mandate” until the end of 2026, if Cláudio Castro resigns to run for the Senate, as is being considered. The vice-governor elected with Castro, Thiago Pampolha, resigned from his post to become an advisor to the Court of State Accounts (TCE).

Bacellar was already the governor’s favorite to exercise this “buffer mandate”, having the strength of the public machine to try to become governor in October. But he began losing ground in July, after Transportation Secretary Washington Reis was fired while serving in the role on an interim basis during Castro’s trip abroad. His arrest and dismissal only made the situation worse.

— The situation is delicate. Given the current political situation, if Cláudio Castro leaves the government, whoever takes over will not have time to demonstrate service and seek re-election. He will make a sacrifice – believes a grassroots MP.

Delaroli says Alerj will continue to operate normally.

— What happened to President Rodrigo Bacellar unfortunately happened. Today I am here, present, and we must address issues that improve the lives of the citizens of our state — he said during yesterday’s session.

Today, Castro prefers Bacellar to remain president, his allies say. This would make it easier for him to appoint his favorite to lead the state in his place, should he step down: the current Secretary of the Civil House, Nicola Miccione, who enjoys a good reputation in the state parliament. Bacellar’s leave comes at a time when the Assembly must vote on sensitive issues, such as accession to Propag (the Union’s new program for the renegotiation of debts with the State) and the budget, which should be examined by deputies next week. In the evaluation of these names close to Castro, Delaroli is an ally and it would not be good for the government if a new crisis currently arises in the conflict for the seat.

During yesterday’s session there were tense moments, sparked by GLOBO’s revelation that MPs close to Bacellar were organizing in search of support to take command of Alerj.

“Basically, what they are doing is keeping an eye on our president who is still alive, before any final definition of the STF,” declared MP Thiago Rangel (Democrats), who participated remotely in the session.

According to Rangel, deputies linked to the ousted president met with Castro to try to discuss succession. Cited as one of those interested in Bacellar’s succession, Chico Machado (Solidariedade) denied having participated in any negotiations concerning the succession:

— I was elected deputy, not president. I even ask, as a birthday present, that you don’t ask me any more questions about the inheritance.

Reports of retaliation

Two days after Alerj decided to release Bacellar, the left-wing deputies who voted to keep the politician in prison declared themselves victims of a “coordinated boycott” since Monday, with successive regimental maneuvers blocking his proposals. In the opposition camp, the surprise was Carla Machado (PT), exhausted by her party after voting for the freedom of Bacellar. In a statement, the PT State Executive informed that the Ethics Commission would investigate and punish “transgressions of party decisions and principles.” The MP did not go to Alerj either: she participated in the session virtually.

The government base denies any retaliation and asserts that these actions are part of the “political game” and the legitimate use of the rules. MP Flávio Serafini (PSOL) was the first to publicly denounce the impasse and report a series of episodes which, according to him, would indicate direct reprisals against parliamentarians who took a position in favor of the STF.

— The projects of left-wing parliamentarians received ridiculous amendments, clearly intended to be removed from the agenda. On Tuesday, MP Rodrigo Amorim practically prevented me from defending the amendments to the firefighters’ project.

The head of government, Rodrigo Amorim (União), denies any boycott:

— There is no recommendation to hinder anything.