The Supreme Court in Brazil supports an investigation into the abuse of power by President Jair Bolsonaro. The federal police are given two months to review the allegations against Bolsonaro. He is suspected of having interfered in police investigations into his family members.
The investigation was requested by the Public Prosecutor’s Office following allegations made by Justice Minister Sergio Moro, who resigned last week. Moro was very popular among Bolsonaro’s supporters because, as a judge, he led the largest corruption investigation the country had ever known.
Moro resigned after Bolsonaro fired the federal police chief. This chief was a confidant to Moro.
The populist Brazilian president has been under attack for weeks because of his lax attitude about the corona crisis. The virus has now claimed nearly five thousand lives in the South American country. Moro’s resignation led to a cabinet crisis.
The likelihood of a charge passing parliament is slim
After the investigation, the public prosecutor must determine whether the federal police have found enough evidence to sue the president. However, this charge will also have to be reviewed by parliament, where Bolsonaro is the majority. This makes it unlikely that an indictment will actually go to trial.
The President dismisses allegations. Polls show that the majority of Brazilians believe the allegations are true. Only half of Brazilians also believe that Bolsonaro should step down for that reason.
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