Brazil's Minister of Justice goes into dispute with Bolsonaro

When Jair Bolsonaro brought the prominent coroner Sergio Moro into his cabinet as Justice Minister shortly after his election, it was considered a coup. But now Moro Bolsonaro accuses of influencing the federal police - and resigns

Brasília (dpa) - Due to disagreements with President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's Justice Minister Sergio Moro - judge one of the best-known corruption investigators in the country - has resigned.

"I pack my things and declare my resignation," said Moro at a press conference in the Brazilian capital Brasília on Friday.

Bolsonaro had previously fired the federal police chief, a close confidant of Moro. He now sees no way to preserve the independence of the federal police, said Moro. "I have to pay attention to my biography, but above all keep to the agreements with the president that we are steadfast in the fight against corruption, the federal police force is resistant to political influences."

The fight against corruption and other crimes had been a central theme in Bolsonaro's campaign. When he accepted Bolsonaro's invitation to become Minister of Justice, Moro said he was also given a free hand in personnel selection. This promise had been violated.

The fact that the then newly elected right-wing populist president brought the popular investigative judge to his cabinet in October 2018 was a coup. Moro, whose likeness in the meantime was emblazoned with T-shirts, had significantly advanced the investigation into "Lava Jato" (car wash) - the largest corruption scandal in Latin America - and put many politicians and entrepreneurs behind bars. In 2017, he first sentenced former left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to prison for bribery.

Since the second half of 2019, however, there have been increased inconsistencies. Bolsonaro began to intervene in the personnel of the federal police. "The problem is not the change itself, but the reason," said Moro now. The president wanted to tap information from the federal police about a person from his environment and have access to secret service documents. "I can't stay under these circumstances."

The current intervention took place in the midst of an investigation against MPs close to Bolsonaro. They are suspected of funding demonstrations against the Supreme Court and Congress. In addition, the position of the president in political Brasília is getting weaker and weaker.

Bolsonaro had isolated himself in the dispute over the correct handling of the corona virus, lost popularity and dismissed Minister of Health Luiz Henrique Mandetta. While downplaying the virus, keeping no restrictions, and calling for a return to normal, Mandetta followed a strict line. The military in the government gained more and more influence. General Braga Netto in particular, as "Chefe da Casa Civil" comparable to the head of the Chancellery, is pulling the strings.

Report G1

Folha de S. Paulo report