Sarney, 94 years old: party has PT ‘friend’ of the PSDB and disagreement between Lira and Padilha; see behind the scenes

Away from elected office since 2014, but without ever leaving public life, José Sarney showed that his prestige among politicians remains resistant to time and the ravages of power. To celebrate the 94 yearsthe former president opened the doors of his mansion in Lago Sul, in Brasília, this Wednesday, 24th, to ministers of the Lula government, members of the Supreme Court, governors, deputies and senators, who in the conversation circles analyzed the tremor between the Palácio do Planalto and the Centrão, as well as the next steps of tax reform.

The music was discreet, conducive to conversations in the ear. One of them, in a good-humored atmosphere, was between the Minister of Institutional Relations, Alexandre Padilhaand the federal deputy Aécio Neves (PSDB-MG). “How much I miss the PSDB!”, confessed, alongside the duo, deputy Lindbergh Farias (PT-RJ). He was referring to the challenge of facing Bolsonarism, which has supplanted the Tucanos in polarization with the PT. National president of the party, Gleisi Hoffmann (PT-PR) laughed as if he agreed.

Padilha represented the palace troops in the birthday. When greeting Sarney, she promised him a visit, next week, to “her Amapá”. It will be another stop in the “federative caravan”, Padilha’s tour of Brazil to bring the federal government closer to the states and municipalities. From the old PT guard was former minister José Dirceu (PT), who this week angered allies by saying that the Lula government is center-right. After the repercussions, Dirceu’s advisor sent a statement with a correction: “Centre-left government, supported by right-wing parties”.

Avoiding any embarrassment, Padilha left the party shortly before the arrival of the president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL). The two are personal enemies, in the words of the man from Alagoas. The Centrão leader heard diagnoses about the conflictive relationship with the government, and was asked about his assessment. He preferred, however, to listen rather than speak.

The Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, made a quick stop after delivering the tax reform regulation project to the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG). Ideal rapporteur for the text – in the eyes of the economic team -, the deputy Aguinaldo Ribeiro (PP-PB) was also at the Sarney residence. To allies, the parliamentarian expressed his disbelief about winning the rapporteurship, to be defined by Lira in the coming days. As he showed the Estadão Columnthe choice of new rapporteurs will be a barometer of the relationship between the president of the Chamber and the government.

Political opponent of the Sarney clan in the past, the minister Flavio Dino, from the Federal Supreme Court (STF), showed that the toga did not change his playful style. “Today you are a minister”, he joked as he shook hands with the executive secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Manoel Carlos de Almeida Neto, who has already been appointed to the highest court in the country. The holder of the portfolio, Ricardo Lewandowskiis in London for the 1st Brasil de Ideias Legal Forum, leaving “deputy minister” Almeida Neto in charge.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) stayed at home, so as not to steal the spotlight from the birthday boy. But he didn’t shy away from wishing congratulations, even over the phone, to his friend of decades. The president’s personal photographer, Ricardo Stuckert, insisted on attending the party. “There is no way to miss it”, he commented, in a tone of respect for the figure of the president who consolidated Brazilian redemocratization after 21 years of military dictatorship.

Among other government ministers, José Múcio (Defense), Esther Dweck (Management), Jader Filho (Cities), Waldez Góes (National Integration) and people from Maranhão, such as Sarney, Juscelino Filho (Communications) and André Fufuca (Sports) passed through the mansion. ). The president of the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU), Bruno Dantas, senator Renan Calheiros (MDB-AL), federal deputy Baleia Rossi (MDB-SP), vice-president Geraldo Alckmin and former senator Katia Abreu equally were present.

The large cake with the initials JS was broken after 10 pm, and without the traditional Happy Birthday to You. Sarney preferred to enjoy the final minutes of the party with family photos. He posed for portraits alongside his wife, d. Marly. “Be careful with your shoulder, my father”, warned his daughter Roseana, federal deputy (MDB-MA) and former governor. The former president is still recovering, with daily physiotherapy, from a fall at home during this year’s carnival that resulted in a broken arm and another in the collarbone.