Bolsonaro Says New Federal Prosecutor General Should Not Be “Extremist”

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – President Jair Bolsonaro said yesterday, August 8th, that the new Federal Prosecutor General should not address issues under his purview with “extremism” and that he should not act “starstruck.”

“We hope to have a prosecutor general who addresses the environmental issue, for instance, without extremism. Brazil has been trying for six years to build the Manaus — Boa Vista [power] lines [and cannot], largely because of the environmental issue,” he said, when leaving the Palácio da Alvorada yesterday morning, August 8th.

Raquel Dodge‘s successor as Federal Prosecutor General (PGR) is expected to be announced by next Monday, August 12th. Dodge’s term of office ends on September 18th, and the appointment of the new prosecutor general is incumbent on the president.

Traditionally, the choice is made among the three most voted candidates by prosecutors within the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) who submit a list of three names to the Chief Executive. The president may or may not accept the nominations.

Bolsonaro said he has five names on his list, including Dodge’s reappointment. On the MPF’s list are deputy prosecutors Mario Bonsaglia, Luiza Frischeisen, and Blal Dalloul. The nominee must also undergo a hearing before the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) of the Senate and receive approval by the full Senate.

As well as taking a balanced stance on environmental issues, Bolsonaro also hopes that the position holder will not interfere with minority issues. “He should not interfere with the minority issue. You have just seen the indigenous people here wanting to make progress, to be like we are. We expect the future head of the [Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office] to work in this direction (…) to avoid this Shiite way of treating minorities,” he said.

The approach to issues related to the Armed Forces also tends to influence Bolsonaro’s decision. “Often the Federal Prosecutor’s Office interferes in our [military’s] affairs. There was a ruling by the MPF that students in military colleges do not have to meet the haircut requirement. Are they going to get involved in this? The military colleges are succeeding, not only of the Army but also of the state police. Are they going to get involved in this?”, he added.