Overview

• The decision, published in the Diário da Câmara this morning, means his absences will now count toward the one‑third threshold for loss of mandate, with records showing 23 unexcused absences versus 13 presences this year.
• The Secretaria‑Geral da Mesa concluded he left the country without prior notice, which violates duty, and said remote participation or leadership applies only to missions formally authorized in advance.
• The PL’s 16 September move to install him as Minority Leader by invoking a 2015 Mesa ruling on leaders’ absences was rejected as incompatible with duties that demand physical presence in plenary, committees and the College of Leaders.
• PL leader Sóstenes Cavalcante said the party will appeal the veto after Motta deemed the case atypical and declined to validate the maneuver.
• Concurrent proceedings heighten the risk: the Ethics Council opened a cassation process on a PT complaint, and the PGR filed a criminal charge alleging he sought U.S. sanctions to coerce Brazilian authorities.