Former Antagonist, President of the Senate Now Supports Temer

08/04/2016 - 10h11

One of Michel Temer's primary antagonists in the months leading up to the removal of Dilma Rousseff from the Planalto Palace, Renan Calheiros (PMDB-AL), President of the Senate, has changed his attitude and has recently become a point of support for the interim Brazilian President's Government.

This week, the Senator gave clear evidence of his good will with the new administration by addressing Temer's requests and working to speed up work in Congress on subjects of interest to the Administration - the highest priority of these being the finalization of the impeachment process against Rousseff.

In his last meeting with party leaders, Renan achieved consensus to give voting priority to two of the Administration's fundamental proposals.

He defended fast-track approval for the DRU (Untying of Federal Revenues) project, which would give the Executive more freedom to reorganize the Budget, and for securitization, which would allow for the sale of outstanding Federal debt in the financial markets which is one of the things that the Finance Ministry is counting on to improve the fiscal situation.

All in all, he promised publicly to finalize the impeachment process within the month, addressing a request from the Planalto Palace.

However, more emphatic signs are coming from behind the scenes. Recently in a private meeting with allies, Renan wove together a series of compliments regarding the interim President.

Temer and Renan get together once or twice per week and talk on the phone "constantly".

Their get-togethers take place either in the Planalto Palace or in the interim President's official residence, the Jaburu Palace.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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	Pedro Ladeira - 20.jun.2016/Folhapress
	President of the Senate, Renan Calheiros, and interim president, Michel Temer