Witzel sets up a give-and-take operation to try to win over deputies

Squeezed between the heavy cross of Lucas Tristão, his inseparable squire, and the sharp sword of the judiciary, which is advancing corruption investigations, Governor Wilson Witzel launched an ostentatious attempt this weekend to co-opt state representatives to prevent the likely approval of his impeachment. He personally called most of the legislators, with the exception of those on the left and those who support Bolsonaro. A sign of his fragility, many refused to answer, prompting him to send messages requesting a meeting.

If he previously refused to cede government positions in the name of the new policy, the situation has now changed. In his conversations, the governor threw open the doors of the state administration to try to win over the representatives. According to one representative who agreed to speak without committing to support him, "Witzel is now offering heaven to whoever comes to him."

In this effort to rebuild his base, the governor attempted to convince Congressman Márcio Pacheco to return to the government leadership, but his request was unsuccessful. Pacheco reaffirmed his willingness to step aside from the role of managing Guanabara Palace's positions in parliament.

The give-and-take arrangement implemented by the governor includes the appointment of Deputy Delegate Carlos Augusto as head of the Civil Police; Jorge Felipe Neto as Secretary of Transportation; and Alexandre Kinoplock as Secretary of Science and Technology. If they do not directly occupy the top-tier positions through negotiation, they would have the right to appoint trusted individuals.

According to a source at Guanabara Palace, two other members of parliament have shown themselves receptive to the governor's appeals: Jair Bittencourt and Bruno Duaire. Neither member has yet accepted the invitations, though some have expressed hesitation in the face of such goodwill.

Today, Witzel doesn't have a firm five-member caucus in the Rio de Janeiro Legislative Assembly. The opposition bloc, made up of pro-Bolsonaro and left-wing representatives, has 33 seats. The other 32 tend to support President André Ceciliano, who is currently silent on the path forward.