“If I’m not in charge, I’ll leave”, says Milton after split between União and PP

Former president of the São Paulo City Council Milton Leite, from União Brasil, stated this Monday (13) that he sees no other possibility than to take command of the federation with Progressistas (PP) in the state.

The approval of the merger between the two parties was approved by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) at the end of March, but the command of the states, especially São Paulo, is still the subject of discussions. The main São Paulo leader of the Union, Leite does not accept that deputy Maurício Neves (PP-SP) takes over the direction of the federation.

– Imagine the following: you have a company with 80% of shares in the state of São Paulo, and they have 20%. Do you accept being commanded by 20%? No, right? So there is no possibility of us being commanded by Mr. Maurício Neves, a minority shareholder (…) If I’m not in charge, I’ll leave the next day. And if I’m not there, what will happen? There is no credibility. If there is no credibility, the damage to the union is immeasurable. Because people won’t accept this – said Leite, who even told Folha de S.Paulo that he would “implode” the federation if he were not placed in São Paulo leadership.

For the chief, the current discussion should not even take place, as the federation agreement provided, according to his words, that the states would stay with the Union.

In recent days, the president of the PP, senator Ciro Nogueira, considered joining the two acronyms in São Paulo, as a way of containing the dispute, but Leite also says he does not accept it.

– I can even discuss this with him, but Ciro will not be in charge here. He will be worried about his condition (Piauí). That’s the problem, understand? Ciro will not come here, he will not command here – said Milton Leite, to GLOBO.

For Ciro Nogueira, who avoided criticizing Leite when asked about the “implosion” issue, the issue will be handled by the federation’s national management.

– Look, this is a discussion that will be taken by the national executive, both I and President (Antonio) Rueda will, at the right time, make this decision, aiming for what is best for the federation. There are, of course, always regional disputes, but the hub states, such as São Paulo, Minas, Rio de Janeiro, remained so that there is a criterion from the national executive. At the right time we will do this – said Ciro, who avoided saying whether his name would be chosen.

Federal deputy Maurício Neves, an ally of Nogueira and the target of Milton Leite’s criticism, states that the senator should take over the federation, yes.

– I find these words from Milton Leite strange, because, if he had talked to me, we would be aligned, we would be stronger, both parties, right? Ciro comes to be the buffer, the guy who will resolve this, who will pacify it. A more serene and balanced guy than Ciro doesn’t exist, understand? He will preside (the federation in São Paulo), but with the intention of us discussing together – said the parliamentarian.

The federation works as a formal alliance between parties, which begin to act as a single party for at least four years, sharing candidacies, TV time and electoral fund resources. Together, the two acronyms bring together the largest bench in the Chamber of Deputies.