Rodrigo Pacheco reelected as head of Senate

Senator Rodrigo Pacheco, member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) was reelected head of the Senate for the next two years. The election took place on Wednesday (Feb. 1), a day that also marked the inauguration of the senators elected in October 2022 and the beginning of the legislative year.

Pacheco won by 49 votes to 32 against Senator Rogério Marinho, namely eight votes more than necessary to win the election. The result was no great surprise compared to previous estimates. Pacheco had the support of most of the parties in the House. On the other hand, Marinho had the support of the Liberal Party (PL), the largest parliamentary group, with 14 of the 81 senators.

In his speech, Pacheco condemned what he called the “toxic polarization” that exists in Brazil. He attributed the terrorist acts on Brazilian public buildings (National Congress, Planalto presidential palace and Supreme Court) on January 8 to this polarization and stated that such events “cannot and will not be repeated”.

Pacheco attributed to the political class the responsibility to combat anti-democratic attitudes. “The hate speech, the lying speech, the pro-coup speech must be discouraged, denied, and fought. Political leaders who are committed to Brazil know this. Political leaders who are committed to the future of Brazil cannot omit themselves at this moment. And the message that the Senate gives to Brazil now is that we will maintain our intransigent defense of democracy,” he said.

A newcomer to the House and linked to Bolsonarism, Marinho opposed the terrorist acts of January 8 in Brasilia, even though he did not directly mention the episode. He spoke about the need to combat “radicalism and barbarism” practiced “by any of the ideological spectrums of the political field, both from the right and the left.” He stated that the Senate needs to act to pacify the country and indicated that there is an imbalance between the Powers. He also referred to a crisis of credibility of the House with society, and said he is committed to reconnecting the Senate with the country.