Having accumulated electoral defeats since 2008 when he left Rio de Janeiro’s mayor’s office, 77-year-old Councilor César Maia (PSDB) left the political ostracism he lived in to become the focus of controversy this year between pre-candidates for the state government.
Federal Deputy Marcelo Freixo (PSB-RJ) invited Maya to become his deputy as a candidate for the state government. The same post was offered to the former mayor by the city’s current president, Eduardo Páez (PSD), to be led by former OAB president Felipe Santa Cruz (PSD).
The former mayor delegated negotiations on his behalf to his son, Rodrigo Maia, who chairs the PSDB-RJ.
To Sheet he explained the reason for the interest in his name in this election as follows: “Perhaps because of the need for a brand experience.”
Both Freijo and Santa Cruz never held leadership positions. The PSB MP is also trying to expand his alliance with the center parties in order to disassociate himself from the image of a radical left that has been formed as a result of his 16-year affiliation with the PSOL.
Maya says she sees no contradiction in her possible commitment to a candidacy led by a left-wing politician.
“My political life has always fluctuated between left and center. When I came to the NFL, the goal was for the NFL to move to the center. That’s why Jamie Lerner and I migrated together,” he says.
PSOL, a member of Freixo’s alliance, said they were against his appointment as vice president.
The accusation of the deputy in the growth of the militia is also not a hindrance for the former mayor. He claims that the deputy was right.
“The first of these allowed police officers to live in communities. But later dynamics showed that Freixo was right,” the former mayor said.
Three-term mayor of Rio de Janeiro Maya left his post without much approval. His administration was the target of constant criticism in the following elections, including from former political godchildren such as Páez.
“My assessment is that the criticism during this election was skewed by popularity issues at the time. The affairs of politics. Possibly due to being in government for too long.”
The former mayor unsuccessfully attempted to hold elections for the Senate three times in 2010, 2014 and 2018. At the latter, he led the voting intent polls ahead of the election, but was overtaken by Arolde de Oliveira (died 2020). whose start was similar to that of Wilson Witzel in state government.
Maya attributes the Senate’s defeats to its lack of domestic votes. He is currently serving his third term as an adviser, a position he has always been elected to as one of the top four voters.
Council member Tarcisio Mota (PSOL) classifies César Maia’s term as “independent”.
“He is not 100% faithful to the directives of the Paez administration. He usually defends the directives of government officials like us. As far as economic and fiscal directives are concerned, we often disagree. But we have a lot of dialogues. adviser,” said Mota, in contrast to Freixo, who was elected by the former mayor as deputy.
Cesar Maia has been assembled since the start of the new coronavirus pandemic and is still participating virtually in city council meetings.
A pending alliance with Freixo could leave the candidacy defended by Páez, César Maia’s former political godson, whose departure contributed to the former mayor’s downfall, isolated.
Paez claims to “take his word” from Rodrigo Maia. According to him, the PSDB promised to support Felipe Santa Cruz. PSD’s alliance with PDT, announced in February, is also under threat.
“Cesar is a very qualified team, very prepared and has a lot to add to the list,” Paez said.
Maya says she does not regret past criticism from Paez. “Because I was always discussing ideas, this personal question never crossed my mind.”
However, he makes it clear that his son is negotiating and that he no longer has frequent contact with the current mayor. “Not. His relationship with Rodrigo Maia has always been constant, even after the 2012 elections.”
He also has no plans to share a platform with former President Lula, Freixo’s top electoral leader. “PSDB-RJ representation depends on Deputy Rodrigo Maia,” says the former mayor.
