The possibility of Bolsonaro becoming ineligible divides opinions in Brazil’s Congress

By Berenice Leite

Former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) is preparing to respond to a lawsuit in the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).

The case is already in its final stage.

It awaits the last arguments of the defense of Bolsonaro and Walter Braga Netto, vice-presidential candidate for the PL, which should be presented to Justice after the Easter holiday.

The PDT, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, should obey the same deadline.

The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) is expected to send a final opinion after the manifestation of the parties.

The collection of evidence stage was concluded last week.

According to the rapporteur of the action, Benedito Gonçalves, a rich body of evidence is gathered in the records formed with extensive participation of the parties and the Electoral Public Ministry (MPE).

The lawsuit was filed in July 2022 after the then-president met with ambassadors.

He criticized the electronic ballot boxes and the lack of auditing of the Brazilian electoral system.

Bolsonaro is accused of misuse of the media and abuse of political power.

In the National Congress, congress members allied to the current government are already betting on the condemnation of President Lula’s (PT) biggest political opponent.

“What the Bolsonaro government and its ministers have done is very serious.”

“I believe that the TSE already has more than enough elements to recognize Bolsonaro’s ineligibility,” said Congressman Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG).

Among the evidence in the process is the draft that was found at the home of former Justice Minister Anderson Torres.

The document considered apocryphal and without legal value by Bolsonaro’s defense, was recently included in the process.

For Senator Jorge Seif (PL-SC), there are no legal reasons for Bolsonaro to be ineligible.

“I want to remind you that President Lula, back then, became ineligible by the actions of the Lava Jato, and then he became president.”

“Remember that with President Dilma Rousseff (happened) the same thing.”

“I believe that these are just fallacies.”

“Justice Benedito Gonçalves was the one who whispered to Minister Alexandre de Moraes ‘mission given is mission accomplished’.”

“But we will trust the TSE, the legacy of President Bolsonaro, and, above all, respect the legislation, which has no prerogative that is a crime to claim or suspect a flaw or weakness in our country’s elections,” he said.

After the presentation of the final allegations and the opinion of the MPE, the next step in the process is to set a date for the trial.

With information from Jovem Pan