Amid institutional crisis, Brazilian state governors want to meet with Bolsonaro

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Monday, August 23, 25 governors attended the national forum of state leaders at the Buriti Palace in Brasilia. The governors announced that they would seek a meeting with Jair Bolsonaro and hope to be received by the president.

The governor of the Federal District, Ibaneis Rocha (MDB), said they agreed on the need to reduce tensions between the Planalto Palace and the Supreme Court (STF) and strengthen democracy.

“I hope that the President will receive the governors, given the country’s level at this point with this institutional dispute. What we are seeking is the common good, and we will present this to the President. Tell him that no one is for or against him, but that we want a normal environment and discuss the people’s real interests,” said Ibaneis Rocha.

In addition to Ibaneis, the meeting was personally attended by the governor of Piauí, Wellington Dias (PT). At the end of the meeting, there was no document or letter with the governors’ positions or with criticism of the actions of Bolsonaro, who last week delivered to the Senate a petition for impeachment of Justice Alexandre de Moraes, STF.

The governors announced that they would forward letters and documents to Bolsonaro, as well as to the Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies (Arthur Lira), the Senate (Rodrigo Pacheco) and the Federal Supreme Court (Luiz Fux).

“Despite the different partisan positions we hold, we are clear that we are in a position to do a lot. We will prepare these letters and also address other issues, such as the tax reform that, in its current form, will cause R$15 billion in losses to states and municipalities. The proposal has nothing to do with simplification. It isn’t good. And because of Paulo Guedes,” Ibaneis added.

The governors also addressed the role of the military police in this climate of political instability, as reflected in São Paulo on Monday, when a regional commander of the state police was removed by Governor João Doria (PSDB) for calling for September 7 protests and criticizing anti-Bolsonaro politicians.