Brazil’s Covid CPI: Fierce clash between former allies Flávio Bolsonaro and ex-Rio governor Witzel

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Covid CPI (Senate investigative committee) was the scene of a series of fierce clashes between ex-governor of Rio de Janeiro Wilson Witzel and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (Patriotas-RJ) on Wednesday, June 16.

The two were allies during the 2018 election – Flávio was involved in the campaign of the then-candidate for governor of Rio de Janeiro. However, there was a break between them throughout the term.

Flávio Bolsonaro is not a member of the CPI but attended the session during Witzel’s hearing. After a clash between them, the CPI’s rapporteur Senator Renan Calheiros (MDB-AL), and the committee’s vice chairman Randolfe Rodrigues (Rede-AP) said there was “clear intimidation” by Flávio against the ex-governor.

During the hearing on Wednesday, Witzel accused the federal government and the Prosecutor’s Office of persecuting governors. He was impeached after being accused of embezzling Health funds during the pandemic.

‘Don’t be afraid’

After Witzel’s alleged persecution, Flávio interrupted and said that the purported “collusion” denounced by the ex-governor was a “very serious” fact.

In the aftermath, Witzel’s attorney asked that “people who are banned,” particularly federal deputies, be removed from the committee – which is exclusive to Senators. “Don’t be afraid, doctor. Don’t be afraid,” Flávio sneered.

Randolfe reinforced that the committee could be held behind closed doors – when there are no aides present or public broadcast.

Flávio again intervened: “Let’s make the CPI transparent, Senator. You don’t have to hide anything from anyone.” “I don’t have the slightest reservation about Senator Flávio Bolsonaro being present or otherwise,” replied the ex-governor.

“If it is to be held behind closed doors, I will be present too. I am a senator of the Republic,” Flávio said.

Randolfe Rodrigues interrupted: “This is clear intimidation.” Witzel then recalled the relationship he had with the Bolsonaro family.

“I just want to say that I have no problem being in the presence of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, I’ve known him since he was a boy. A boy I’ve known, his family, his mother, Rogéria Bolsonaro, I know his family, I’ve known his father for a long time. My issue here is not personal, my issue is institutional in defense of democracy,” Witzel said.

Flávio sneered, “What a beautiful speech.”

“If you were a little bit more polite and less spoiled, you would have respect for what I’m saying,” the ex-governor said. “Respect me, sir,” he said.

Accountability

In another moment, Flávio also highlighted the allegations of corruption involving the ex-governor. The Senator said that Witzel has “his hands bloody with the almost 500,000 dead” of Covid.

The comment came in reaction to Witzel’s statement that the president had “left the governors at the mercy of the doom to come.”

“The one responsible for the 450,000 dead has a name, an address and has to be held accountable, here, at the International Criminal Court, for his actions,” said Witzel at the beginning of his statement.