Sergio Moro joins Podemos party, paves the way to be presidential candidate in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Former minister Sergio Moro, who was in charge of Operation Lava-Jato as a judge, joined Podemos on Wednesday (10). The event, which took place at the Ulysses Guimarães Convention Center in Brasília, paves the way for his pre-candidacy for president.

Rejected by Bolsonarists and Lulistas, Moro is one of the center-right’s options as a third-way candidate in a dispute currently polarized between President Jair Bolsonaro and former President Lula (PT).

Moro took the stage at 10:40 AM. Before that, a video was shown in which the former judge appeared walking in front of the Planalto Palace. The former judge’s entry into the party contradicts Moro’s statements, who has said several times that he would not enter politics.

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Moro began his speech by citing the criticism he received for his voice. He justified that “he is not a politician” and “he is not used to speeches.”

“Brazil doesn’t need leaders with beautiful voices. Brazil needs leaders who listen and listen to the voice of the Brazilian people,” said Moro, who worked with a speech therapist to improve his diction.

The former judge defended his performance in Operation Lava Jato and, without mentioning president Jair Bolsonaro, talked about his performance in the government.

“I was always considered a firm judge, and I did justice according to the Law. At the time, everyone said it was impossible to do this, but we did it. Of course, with the great support of the Brazilian population. Together, I, you, we, showed that the Law applies to everyone. In 2018, I received an invitation from the president-elect to be Minister of Justice. Like every good Brazilian, I had, in 2018, hope for better days. Like every Brazilian, I thought about what we had witnessed in recent years: the major corruption cases being revealed day after day, the pixulecos, the Swiss accounts, and millions of stolen reais or dollars,” he said.

THE FORMER MINISTER JUSTIFIED THAT HE HAD A “DUTY TO HELP”

“It was a moment that demanded change. I, as a Lava-Jato judge, felt I had a duty to help. There was at least one chance to make it right, and I couldn’t omit myself: I accepted the invitation and joined the government. My goal was to improve people’s lives through technical work, mainly by reducing corruption and other crimes,” he continued.

MORO JUSTIFIES LEAVING GOVERNMENT BECAUSE HE WAS BOYCOTTED

“I desired to continue acting, as a minister, in favor of Brazilians. Unfortunately, I could not continue in the government. When I accepted the position, I did not do it for power or prestige. I believed in a mission. I wanted to fight corruption, but for this, I needed the government’s support, and this support was denied me. When I saw my work boycotted and the promise was broken that the government would fight corruption without protecting anyone, continuing as a minister would only be a farce. I will never renounce my principles and my commitment to the Brazilian people.”