Investigating Bolsonaro's management during the 2:39 pandemic
São Paulo, Brazil (CNN) -
The Brazilian Senate on Tuesday began an investigation into the federal government's response to COVID-19, which could hamper President Jair Bolsonaro's re-election bid if it leads to impeachment or charges. criminal.
Bolsonaro has long played down the ferocity of the pandemic, while resisting containment measures and the use of masks.
While COVID-19 cases have started to stabilize or decline in other countries, cases in Brazil have continued to rise.
Angry citizens, political adversaries, and overwhelmed local officials across the country have lobbied Bolsonaro for more federal action, even as he has publicly shrugged off these concerns.
Although the Senate committee is not a judicial body, it has the power to gather evidence to defend impeachment.
In addition, the commission will also analyze the transfers of federal funds to states and municipalities to fight covid-19.
"I'm not worried because we don't owe anything," Bolsonaro told reporters on Monday about the commission's expected results.
But Bolsonaro's political fate is at stake, with the Senate divided in favor of overthrowing him to usher in former government ally Omar Aziz as president, along with opponents Randolfe Rodrigues and Renan Calheiros as vice president and rapporteur, respectively.
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Senator Renan Calheiros, the commission's rapporteur, emphasized the seriousness of the investigation in a speech Monday, vowing that the culprits "who are to blame for the action, omission, disdain or incompetence will be held accountable."
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Bolsonaro's weakened base
The recently approved investigation by the Supreme Court that circulated among government ministries to obtain information about the accusations against Bolsonaro is a blow to its base, which tried to prevent the commission from investigating the issue of managing the pandemic.
The allegations include claims that Bolsonaro and his government sabotaged isolation measures, threatened governors and mayors who applied restrictive measures, and refused to wear masks or encourage their use.
Another point of controversy is how the pandemic has been handled in Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas, where hospitals are beyond capacity.
The commission, backed by a study conducted by several local academic and non-profit groups, resolved to assess delays in purchasing Pfizer vaccines, possible negligence and incompetence in purchasing and administering vaccines, overspending on prescription drugs. demonstrated ineffectiveness and lack of stocks of necessary supplies such as syringes for the public health system.
The study, based on more than 3,000 speeches, interviews and government actions, found that the federal government opted for a strategy of herd immunity to manage the virus in favor of boosting the Brazilian economy.
“Since April last year, there is an institutional strategy for the spread of covid-19 in Brazil, led by the president but implemented by the entire federal government to achieve herd immunity through contagion.
This is what our study concludes, ”research coordinator Deisy Ventura told CNN.
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The threat of impeachment
If the investigation triggered an impeachment vote, it would require at least two-thirds of the 513 deputies and a simple majority of 81 senators to remove Bolsonaro from office.
The vice president and general of the army, Hamilton Mourao, would then assume control of the federal government.
If the commission finds that the president committed common crimes, the attorney general's office could initiate an investigation or file a complaint with the Supreme Court.
Investigation coordinator Ventura told CNN that a looming question is whether there is enough political will to properly investigate Bolsonaro.
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“The president does not stop spreading false news, he does not stop inciting the population to disobey the health authorities, he does not stop inciting the population to be exposed to the virus.
Even in the face of the collapse of public health, ”Ventura said.
In the investigators' opinion, he continued, the actions of the federal government "may constitute a crime against humanity."
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