RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Executive Committee of the PSL has decided to suspend 14 of its federal deputies, the targets of the party’s Ethics Council proceeding.
Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of President Jair Bolsonaro, is one to be punished more severely and may be suspended from party activities for one year. In total, 14 deputies saw requests for their suspension accepted and four were cautioned.
However, the decision has no immediate effect and needs to be countersigned by the party’s National Directorate, which will meet next week. If upheld, the president’s son will lose the PSL leadership in the Chamber and all positions he holds in the Chamber’s legislative committees.
Eduardo would only retain command of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Defense (CREDEN) because he was elected president and, under the Chamber’s bylaws, he is immune to any changes made by the party.
Eduardo and his allies’ suspension is a buzzkill within the wing linked to President Jair Bolsonaro, who wanted to be expelled so he could leave the party without losing his mandate. In an interview with Radio Eldorado on Tuesday, November 26th, the Bolsonaros’ attorney and treasurer of the Alliance for Brazil, Karina Kufa, said that it would be “a favor” to have them removed from the party.
According to Karina, the PSL has adopted a tactic of opening several expulsion proceedings against deputies allied to Bolsonaro to instigate “fear and terror. “They are doing this to bring in penalties that only aim to create a vexatious process, not a democratic one. If you are not happy with a deputy, expel him or her and let them live in another party,” the attorney said in the interview.
Last Thursday, November 21st, President Jair Bolsonaro launched the Alliance for Brazil, a party he wants to get off the ground in time for the 2020 municipal elections, which should welcome the deputies who saw the requests for their suspension accepted by the PSL.
The flight of Bolsonaro’s political group from the PSL occurs after disagreements with the president of the party, deputy Luciano Bivar. The PSL elected 52 deputies last year – it is expected to receive close to R$1 billion (US$250 million) in public campaign funds by 2022. The president’s group’s intention was to remove Bivar to be able to control the allocation of the money. But the stunt was unsuccessful and forced Bolsonaro to leave the party.
The penalties provided for each deputy are as follows:
Bibo Nunes (PSL-RS): 12 months
Alê Silva (PSL-MG): 12 months
Bia Kicis (PSL-DF): 6 months
Carla Zambelli (PSL-SP) : 6 months
Carlos Jordy (PSL-RJ): 7 months
Daniel Silveira (PSL-RJ): 12 months
Eduardo Bolsonaro (PSL-SP): 12 months
General Girão (PSL-RN): 3 months
Filipe Barros (PSL-PR): 6 months
Junio Amaral (PSL-MG): 3 months
Luiz Philippe de Órleans e Bragança (PSL-SP): 3 months
Márcio Labre (PSL-RJ): 6 months
Sanderson (PSL-RS): 10 months
Vitor Hugo (PSL-GO): 7 months
The National Executive also issued a warning to four other deputies:
Aline Sleutjes (PSL-PR)
Chris Tonietto (PSL-SC)
Hélio Lopes (PSL-RJ)
Coronel Armando (PSL-SC)