Leader vows to seek unity within divided party caucus at lower house

The reinstatement of Deputy Leonardo Picciani Wednesday (Feb. 17) as leader of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) caucus in the Chamber of Deputies was met as a hopeful prospect for the government's relationship with the main party in the governing coalition. As the largest party in the house, PMDB has clout on key issues for the government.

Picciani's words about his victory were words of dialogue and unity. “We should talk, discuss issues together, and look forward to unity,” said Picciani, whose continuation as the caucus leader is welcomed by President Dilma Rousseff's government. But the deputy denies any government interference with the party's choice. “The government has no say in the PMDB's internal affairs,” he asserted.

“Our job now is to raise PMDB support for the government,” said Health Minister Marcelo Castro, who stepped aside from the cabinet for one day to resume his original seat in the Chamber of Deputies so he could cast a vote for Picciani. The reinstatement of the government's ally has cooled off expectations among sectors of the PMDB in the Chamber of Deputies who are opposed to the government and want the president's impeachment.

The party caucus leader has the role of nominating eight party members to the committee that will hear the impeachment case. Picciani promised to respect the mixed views within the party, but maintained his position against impeachment because he thinks “there are no legal grounds, no accountability violations have been committed to warrant the case [for impeachment].”

House speaker

Picciani's victory has also come as a blow to the house speaker, Eduardo Cunha. He denied feeling defeated. “I supported a candidate who got fewer votes and lost the election. These things happen,” Cunha said.

Asked if he thought Picciani would be able to bring the party caucus closer together, Cunha said it would depend on the caucus leader's ability to manage differences. But the lower house speaker does not believe the vote result has the potential to bring the party caucus closer to the government or weaken support for impeachment. “It doesn't change anything. They're all different things,” he said.

Translated by Mayra Borges