PSOL does not intend to give lawmakers a free pass to leave for the Workers’ Party (PT), according to party members. At least three federal lawmakers are expected to depart: Erika Hilton of São Paulo, Natalia Boulos of São Paulo and Rick Azevedo of Rio de Janeiro. The list could grow, and Guilherme Boulos, a federal lawmaker currently serving as a minister, is also preparing to leave, along with state legislators and city council members affiliated with the internal group Revolução Solidária.
Under Brazil’s party-affiliation rules, a lawmaker needs a letter of consent from their party leadership to change parties. Without one, the party can take the case to electoral court, where the lawmaker risks losing their seat for party disloyalty.
An exception applies to parties that fail to meet the electoral threshold. PSOL had initially been in that position, but a ruling by the Superior Electoral Court on Tuesday the 27th recognized that PSOL and Rede, its federation partner, had met the requirement. Party members say lawmakers leaving now will therefore need to negotiate the terms of their departure.
The group around Hilton and Boulos broke with the party’s current leadership earlier this year after losing an internal contest over forming a federation with the PT. They argue that they agreed to remain in PSOL for this election specifically to help the party meet the electoral threshold.
Sources: Folha Poder.