Defense Minister Paulo Sérgio Nogueira asked for an audience with the new president of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), Alexandre de Moraes, who decided to set the meeting for next Tuesday (23/08).
A Chance for Peace?
According to political commentators, allies of President Jair Bolsonaro are rooting for a truce between the Executive and the Electoral Justice and believe that the meeting between the two can be a step towards an understanding.
Alexandre de Moraes took charge of the TSE last Tuesday (16/08). Nogueira even asked for an audience with Alexandre de Moraes’ predecessor, Minister Edson Fachin, but he ended up not scheduling the meeting. According to media sources, the meeting was never accepted due to President Bolsonaro’s criticism against the electronic voting machines, the TSE and the electoral system. In addition, the Defense Minister sent several letters to the TSE in an alleged provocative tone. As a result, according to Fachin’s advisers, there was no mood for the meeting with the Defense Minister.
Potential Progress in the Requests
If the meeting happens as expected, experts believe that Alexandre de Moraes will announce the acceptance of some requests made by the Defense Ministry, such as a technical examination of the new electronic voting machines.
Positive Outcome for 7 September Protests
If the meeting between Ministers Alexandre de Moraes and Sérgio Nogueira, experts believe that the political mood may improve until before 7 September, when Bolsonaro will participate in the parade in Brasilia and political acts in Rio de Janeiro.
During the commemorative date of last year, an institutional crisis between the Executive and the Judiciary was at its peak, which led to nationwide demonstrations and even a prolonged occupation by truckers of the area where the Ministries – the Esplanada dos Ministérios – are located in country’s capital.
