Key Areas of Petrobras Are at Stake. The Workers’ Party, Formed by Lula’s Allies, Seeks Partnerships to Expand Its Reach and Gain More Influence in the State Company’s Decisions

The Command of Petrobras Was Assumed by Jean Paul Prates of PT, and Internally Disputes Are Happening to Determine Who Will Dominate Key Areas of the State-Owned Company. Lula’s Allies Are Seeking Support from Parties That Have More Voting Power and Mobilizing Partnerships.

According to internal sources, Petrobras is going through a moment of significant internal disputes aiming primarily for control over key areas of the state-owned company. The PT, the party to which Lula, the current President of the Republic, is affiliated, would be seeking to outline strategies to overcome the power of other parties and thus be the majority among other associates.

The Intention Is to Have Control Over Decision-Making Areas of the State-Owned Company Regarding Issues Such as Sales Prices and Profit Distribution

Currently, the oil and gas sector is generating significant discussions due to the price passed on to the population.

The high prices have led to public demonstrations, and in the meantime, Petrobras, which is one of the major state-owned companies in the segment, is also facing internal disputes.

This is driven by a movement led by the PT, the Workers’ Party, to which President Lula and the current president of Petrobras, Jean Paul Prates, are affiliated.

The group is seeking to dominate the key areas of the company to have more control over important areas, ranging from service contracts to influence over fuel pricing and even profit distribution to shareholders.

The party is heavily invested in opposing center-right parties, such as PSD and União Brasil, which also show interest in expanding their power in the context. The entire union base, grouped in CUT and oil workers’ organizations, joins the struggle.

In numbers, the mentioned parties — PSD and União Brasil — hold more relevance, as together they account for 20% of the votes in the Chamber. This percentage is higher than that achieved by the combination of PT, PCdoB, and PV, whose total is equal to 16% of the available votes in the chamber of deputies.

The Clash and Power Struggle Extend to the Board of Directors. The Names Have Been Recommended and Should Be Evaluated Soon, Facing Resistance from Adversaries

The Board of Directors of Petrobras has begun receiving names for nomination. In total, seven recommendations were made, and the vote for the final selection is expected to take place in the second half of April, by a general assembly.

Of the seven nominees, four were suggested by PSD and União Brasil, which is facing direct resistance from the Federation of Oil Workers. The body, linked to PT, considers that all the mentioned names are “associated with bolsonarism, the financial market, and in favor of privatizations,” which, according to them, would result in “obstacles to the fulfillment of the government program” if any of the mentioned names are chosen.

Beyond Petrobras, the dispute among the parties also extends to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, led by Alexandre Silveira of PSD.

It is worth mentioning that the ministry in question has a direct relationship with Petrobras, especially concerning the taxation of crude oil exports, a process being decided by the professionals involved in the sector, as well as by the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The clash and the PT’s own resistance regarding the power of other parties in Petrobras is a common issue, considering that having influence over key areas is a basic objective. It does not mean that Lula’s voters will necessarily get what they want, as the other parties involved have numerical superiority.