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Montevideo, November 2nd 2024 - 16:21 UTC

 

 

Bolsonaro loyalist want to make him Senator for life

Friday, October 29th 2021 - 20:21 UTC
Full article 5 comments
 Bolsonaro is legally immune to charges... for now Bolsonaro is legally immune to charges... for now

As charges to be filed against Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro get increasingly threatening, political allies of the head of state are said to be looking for ways to shield him from a possible conviction.

According to press reports released Friday, the solution would be to create the post of senator for life, which has been well received in Bolsonarist circles.

The Senate's Parliamentary Committee (CPI) which has investigated the Government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has issued a report whereby Bolsonaro looks guilty of crimes against humanity and charges are expected to be filed by the Prosecution.

Lawmakers from the ruling Progressive Party (PP) have admitted a “shielding operation” was underway through a Constitutional Amendment Project (PEC) to create the post of senator for life, journalist Andrea Saadi of GloboNews reported.

The CPI had approved Tuesday a report with 9 counts against Bolsonaro for alleged crimes committed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CPI accusations were handed over to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) and the Attorney General's Office, and it is expected that they will be forwarded on to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The initiative to promote the PEC of the life senatorial office “began to take shape 15 or 20 days ago,” when it was decided to recycle a bill that emerged almost two decades ago, noted reporter Natus Nery, also from GloboNews.

According to this initiative, the post of senator for life be granted to all former presidents, not just Bolsonaro. It would be very similar to the clause former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet drafted for himself before relinquishing power to democratically elected authorities.

Bolsonaro reportedly trusts Attorney General Augusto Aras will not follow through on these recommendations, nor will he allow others to prosper.

But both Bolsonaro and his sons, who are also accused by the Senate, fear that if the president is not reelected in 2022, his situation will become more vulnerable because he will have lost his legal immunity.

Categories: Politics, Brazil, Latin America.

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  • Jack Bauer

    “...the solution would be to create the post of senator for life, which has been well received in Bolsonarist circles...” ...'well received by Bolsonarist circles“.....no surprise there.

    ”According to this initiative, the post of senator for life be granted to all former presidents, not just Bolsonaro...” Sure, just an attempt to disguise it being custom-made for Bolsonaro, and to allow all the other corrupt bastards to enjoy the proceeds of their theft without being 'harassed' by the Law.

    Fact is that the members of the Lower House are totally out of touch with the people, for whom they have absolutely no respect. Most will do anything when it comes to protecting themselves and legislating in their own cause. Their creativity knows no boundaries, and while Bolsonaro knows it won't pass in the Senate, he tries to make us believe he is against such a Constitutional amendment. Who does he think he's kidding ?

    And of course, Bolsonaro's trusted doormat, Augusto Aras, will play along with his master's sordid little game.

    Oct 30th, 2021 - 05:27 pm 0
  • imoyaro

    It's funny, Trump said he'd like to be President for Life. What's with these clowns? Guilty conscience?

    Nov 01st, 2021 - 11:51 pm 0
  • Jack Bauer

    Iimoyaro

    In Brazil it's a deeply-ingrained habit for politicians to believe they are special, more deserving that the rest of the population, which unwittingly put them in power.....that's why they steal, they think they have been handed that right.

    This 'senator-for-life rubbish' first appeared in 1959 ; Juscelino Kubitschek thought it would be a good idea to perpetuate himself in power....his idea was rejected, but they never give up - two more attempts were made, one in 1996, by a senator who was later minister in all the PT administrations, and again in 2006 by a federal congressman for the PMDB.

    And now, by Bolsonaro, who is clearly fearful of going to prison if not reelected.

    Clearly, democracy has different meanings to different people, especially to those in power.

    Nov 02nd, 2021 - 10:55 pm 0
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