Deputy Evair de Melo (PP-ES) claims that overriding Lula's vetoes on the environmental licensing bill is not retaliation against the government for nominating Jorge Messias to the STF. The government defends maintaining the vetoes, emphasizing technical assessments and climate risks. The Congress session, called by Davi Alcolumbre, may unfold amid political tensions.
The override of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's vetoes on the bill flexibilizing environmental licensing rules is seen by some as retaliation for nominating Attorney-General Jorge Messias to the STF, over Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG). However, Deputy Evair de Melo (PP-ES), from the ruralist bench, denies any connection. "We won't even go into the merits [of the speech] because it has no foundation. This agenda is a longstanding one, it has nothing to do with the current moment with the government, nothing to do with the catastrophe that was the COP," Melo states.
Congress President Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP) called a veto session for Tuesday (25), including those on licensing, in an announced defeat for the government. There was an attempt to vote before the COP30 in Belém (PA), but government leaders delayed it. Alcolumbre's allies view the vetoes as part of a "package of nastiness" due to the Messias nomination.
In August, Lula vetoed 63 points of the text, presenting a new bill and provisional measure for the Special Environmental License (LAE), which prioritizes projects via a political council and could benefit oil exploration in the Foz do Amazonas. The government issued a note defending the vetoes: "The vetoes were established based on rigorous technical and legal assessments, with participation from the scientific community and input from various societal sectors." The administration highlights disasters like Mariana, Brumadinho, and recent ones in Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul, plus the recent COP30, to prevent environmental setbacks.
Melo argues the override will bring "more agility, legal security," respecting environmental prerogatives, focusing on bureaucracy to generate jobs. The session, however, is not assured due to lack of agreement and low quorum in Brasília. The government reaffirms willingness for dialogue toward balanced solutions.