Sérgio Moro, Brazil’s popular justice minister, is leaving. He disagrees with President Bolsonaro’s decision to replace the chief of federal police.
In a very critical press conference, Moro assaulted the president hard, accusing Bolsonaro of repeated attempts to influence police investigations. Investigations are underway against the President’s sons.
Immediately after Moro announced his resignation, spontaneous pot and pan protests broke out in various parts of the country, against Bolsonaro.
Operation Car Wash
Moro has a true hero status, especially among right-wing Brazilians: as investigative judge he led ‘Operation Car Wash’, the largest corruption investigation in history. Dozens of politicians, including ex-president Lula of the left-wing PT Workers Party, ended up behind bars.
With the departure of Moro, the political crisis in Brazil is complete. Bolsonaro has become politically isolated in recent weeks because of his attitude during the corona crisis. The president compared the virus to the flu and called for the quarantine measures to end soon. He therefore had an argument with the Minister of Health, who was subsequently fired by Bolsonaro.
Presidential candidate?
Moro’s departure is an escalation of that crisis. Moro’s accusations against the president are a political bomb: attempts to thwart investigations into justice may be reason to start impeachment proceedings against the president. The criticism is also detrimental to Bolsonaro’s image as a ‘warrior against corruption’.
The ex-Minister of Justice and Security says that he is withdrawing from public life for the time being. Moro has long been cited as one of the main candidates for the next presidential election in 2022.
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