Lula probes the Lulist wing of the MDB about Pacheco’s affiliation for the dispute in Minas

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) discussed the electoral dispute in the States with members of the MDB and sounded out members of the Lulist wing of the party about the possibility of Senator Rodrigo Pacheco joining the party to run for government of Minas Gerais.

The conversation took place at Palácio do Planalto, in Brasília, this Tuesday, 24th, and brought together leaders such as senator Renan Calheiros (AL), ministers Renan Filho (Transport) and Jader Filho (Cities) and the governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho.

At the meeting, Lula asked for an overview of the MDB’s situation in the States and asked how he could help the party in regional disputes. When dealing with Minas, he stated that he was convinced that Pacheco would be a candidate for government and wanted to know the Emedebistas’ assessment of a possible affiliation.

The emedebistas were open to the idea and said it would be an honor to welcome the senator, but considered that the decision needs to respect the agreements already signed by the party in Minas.

Today, the MDB has as its pre-candidate the former president of the Belo Horizonte City Council, Gabriel Azevedo, with whom Pacheco met a few days ago. Pacheco, in turn, is also listed in the PSB and managed to have an ally in command of União Brasil in the state.

The internal assessment is that the MDB can discuss membership, as long as Pacheco shows interest in joining the party.

According to one of those present, Lula also addressed the scenario in other states, such as Bahia, where governor Jerônimo Rodrigues is expected to run for re-election possibly without maintaining his vice-presidential position with the MDB, and in Alagoas, where Renan Filho may have a fierce dispute with the mayor of Maceió, JHC.

The president did not speak about the possibility of offering the vice-presidency to the MDB. He only said that vice-president Geraldo Alckmin (PSB) should travel to São Paulo to discuss with former minister Fernando Haddad (PT) the formation of the state ticket. Lula stated that Alckmin could run for the Senate, but stressed that the decision would be up to him alone.