Petrobras CPI could be shot in the foot, say government allies

Allies of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) believe that the strategy of asking for the opening of a CPI (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry) to investigate the current management of Petrobras is risky, and could act as a “shot in the foot” and increase the wear and tear of the government. .

Although at war against the current direction of Petrobras, a wing of the centrão, a group of parties that is part of the government’s allied base, began to question Bolsonaro’s proposal for Congress to install a CPI.

There are several arguments: a CPI would have little practical effect on the main need of the Planalto, which is to contain the increase in the price of diesel and gasoline at the pumps; it could also become a platform for the opposition and extend through the electoral period — amplifying any political wear and tear.

The investigation, in a case like this, is political, remind deputies and party leaders. Therefore, the opposition can use the commission to attack the president and his actions in the face of rising fuel prices.

The majority of the state-owned company’s board that approved the recent readjustment was nominated by Bolsonaro, who even chose the current president, José Mauro Coelho. Thus, say centrão exponents, it would be difficult, in a CPI, for the representative not to be associated with the skyrocketing values ​​paid by Brazilians at the posts.

Furthermore, a CPI has a term of operation of 120 days, which can be extended. Therefore, the analysis of state-owned documents and the televised testimonies about the company’s management would take place during the campaign.

In the voting intention polls, Bolsonaro appears behind former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).

Finally, even if Bolsonaro and the president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), manage to get a broad ruling majority in the CPI, oppositionists in the commission would have access to sensitive documents from the oil company with the potential to politically harm the Planalto, leaders argue.

A CPI has the power to determine that investigations are carried out, depositions are taken, information is requested from public bodies and even the breach of telephone, banking, tax and telematic confidentiality of investigated persons.

PT defends CPI

Shortly after Bolsonaro launched the idea, leaders of left-wing parties took a stand in favor of the CPI.

A member of Lula’s campaign, the former governor of Piauí, Wellington Dias (PT), defends that the investigative commission be installed. “A serious investigation into Petrobras, focused on fuel price policy, will easily reveal that the President of the Republic never wanted a solution to reduce fuel prices,” he told Sheet.

Not by chance, in the package proposed by Lira to retaliate against Petrobras, the CPI is the item that most raises doubts among members of parties such as the PL, PP and Republicans, who support Bolsonaro.

Lira called a meeting of leaders for this Monday (20), with the aim of discussing a coordinated reaction by parliamentarians against the readjustment.

Lira’s other ideas, which have support at the center, include raising Petrobras’ profit tax, reviewing the state-owned company’s pricing policy and taxing oil exports.

In an article published in Sheet this Sunday (19), Lira wrote: “We don’t want confrontation, we don’t want intervention. We just want respect from Petrobras to the Brazilian people. If the company decides to face Brazil, it must prepare itself: Brazil will face Petrobras. a threat. It’s an encounter with the truth.”

In the opinion of deputies heard privately, the proposal to change the taxation on the company to raise funds to be used as subsidies for gasoline and diesel are more fruitful and efficient.

Petrobras announced, on Friday (17), readjustments of 5.2% in the price of gasoline and 14.2% in the price of diesel, alleging that the oil market has undergone structural change and that it is necessary to seek convergence with the international prices.

The announcement infuriated Bolsonaro and allies. Led by Lira, they promised to retaliate against the direction of Petrobras. The main target is President José Mauro, who has already been publicly dismissed by the Planalto, but who resists leaving office.

Parliamentarians, who were already complaining about Petrobras’ pricing policy, began to put even more pressure on José Mauro to resign. This would pave the way for a more accelerated change in command of the oil company.

Behind the scenes, government leaders say that, in the event of a resignation or a change in the company’s command, the retaliation package should be softened. But they are unlikely to shelve all the measures suggested by Lira.

When questioned, the government leader in the Chamber, deputy Ricardo Barros (PP-PR), says that the decision to open the CPI will be made by the leaders of the House.

Barros points out that, if the commission is installed, it is possible that the government will have power over the direction of the investigation. “It will always be under control,” he assessed.

Deputies from the ideological wing aligned themselves with Bolsonaro and defended the opening of the CPI.

Deputy Carla Zambelli (PL-SP) informed this Sunday (19) that she will ask the Federal Police and the Public Ministry to investigate the profit of the state-owned company and the budget reserve for the distribution of dividends by the company.