Eduardo Bolsonaro is new PSL Leader in Chamber After all

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Federal Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of President Jair Bolsonaro, is the new leader of the party in the Chamber of Deputies. His name came up in the Chamber’s system as the incumbent in the early afternoon of October 21st.

Shortly before the confirmation, the now-former leader, Delegado Waldir, had released a video in which he admitted that the leadership had shifted to Eduardo.

The dispute for the PSL leadership position in the Chamber began two weeks ago and is a reflection of the internal crisis within the party. Two wings are currently clashing: one, linked to President Jair Bolsonaro; the other, to the PSL president , Deputy Luciano Bivar.

The Bolsonarist wing had attempted to replace Waldir with Eduardo last week. Two lists were submitted to the Chamber with signatures from PSL deputies calling for a change in leadership. However, Waldir’s allies delivered a third list which, after examination by the Chamber, prevailed over the others for having more signatures.

Today, Eduardo’s supporters handed over a new list, with 28 valid signatures (more than half of the bench), which was endorsed by the Chamber. Under the rules, the newest list is valid for defining the leader of a party, provided that it is signed by the majority of a party’s deputies.

This new PSL list included the signatures of five deputies who had been suspended by the party. Their suspension has been canceled by the party leadership, hence the signatures are in effect.

In a video published on social media, Delegate Waldir said that he is at Eduardo’s disposal to make the transition in the leadership in a “transparent” way.

Source: G1