Pro-Government Deputies Seek to Block Three Parliamentary Inquiry Committees

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Incumbent deputies and senators have in recent days attempted to block the establishment of two parliamentary inquiry committees (CPI) in Congress.

The Lava-Toga CPI in the Senate, investigating the actions of Supreme Court justices, and the Vaza-Jato CPI in the lower house – coordinated by the opposition to investigate the conversations between then Judge Sérgio Moro and Lava Jato prosecutors – have been troubling the Planalto because there is apprehension about the possibility that investigations could spill over into the government and its allies.

A third CPI, concerning Fake News, already installed, is now being monitored by the government’s legislative base, headed by Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PSL-RJ), the president’s son.

In the Senate, the attempt to open investigations into members of the Supreme Court has split the PSL. Flávio tried to get his colleagues to withdraw their support for the committee.

Faced with pressure, Judge Selma (MT) announced that she will leave the PSL. The party leader in the Senate, Major Olímpio (SP), asked Flávio himself to quit the party, as evidenced by a broadcast of the “Estadão” newspaper.

Olímpio later said that he will not leave the PSL because he was persuaded by those close to him to remain in the party. “I will continue to support President Bolsonaro and the government’s guidelines. I don’t see the president taking a stand against Lava Jato. This is the President’s son’s position, who is a senator. But this is counterproductive to the party’s own banner,” he told Estadão/Broadcast.

Senator Soraya Thronicke (PSL-MS) was among those who asked Selma and Olímpio to remain in the PSL. And she downplayed Flávio’s efforts. “I’m asking everyone to forgive one another, stop fighting and wait for the dust to settle.” In her opinion, Flávio tried to block the CPI for realizing that the investigation would hinder his father’s government.

According to deputy Carla Zambelli (PSL-SP), the CPI will undermine both the Legislative and the Judicial branches. “And what is required will not actually happen, which is the impeachment of judges. She believes the discussion is focused on the fact that Flávio was the only PSL senator who did not sign the petition to establish the committee. “They think that Flávio’s signature is the same thing as President Jair Bolsonaro’s signature. And it isn’t.”

Federal deputy Coronel Tadeu (PSL-SP) said that, despite the internal efforts in the party to void the two CPIs, he will continue defending Lava Toga.

“The fact that Flávio was the only one who didn’t support it created an uneasy mood”, admitted the parliamentarian. According to Tadeu, the argument that the CPI will not be prepared to thoroughly investigate the Supreme Court justices’ actions is a “factoid” to persuade Bolsonarists to forego the CPI. “I will continue to advocate it because, otherwise, I will lose my identity. Shall I take off one mask and put on another?”

With respect to the Vaza Jato CPI, the PSL bench is united in defending its burial, on the grounds that it was proposed by the opposition and aims to investigate allegations that the Lava Jato task force had committed irregularities. But there is also concern that investigations could undermine the government’s foundations, such as Minister Sérgio Moro, who was the operation’s judge.

The government has additionally been working against the CPI of Fake News, which investigates denunciations of the use of networks to slander candidates in the 2018 elections.

Flávio questioned which fact would have determined the establishment of the CPI. The committee’s president, Angelo Coronel (PSD-BA), argued that the goal is “to investigate cyber attacks that threaten democracy”. Flávio replied: ” Completely broad, isn’t it?”.

The information is from the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo.