Will Bolsonaro Be Held Responsible for Brazil’s COVID-19 Disaster?
Jair Bolsonaro has overseen one of the most disastrous COVID-19 responses in the world. A new congressional inquiry into his misconduct faces long odds — but could help expose the disaster to the Brazilian people ahead of the election against former president Lula.
President Jair Bolsonaro removes his mask to speak to journalists during a press conference amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Rio de Janeiro on May 5, 2021. (Andre Borges/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
What can be done against a government that is arguably committing genocide by incentivizing the spread of COVID-19 among its own population? This is the dilemma facing Brazil.
President Jair Bolsonaro has congressional immunity, and revoking it would require a two-thirds majority in the most right-leaning Congress in Brazil’s history. Before that, Bolsonaro would need to be indicted by Augusto Aras, a submissive attorney general who dreams of a Supreme Court appointment in the next few months.
Though Bolsonaro is tailing former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the latest polls by eighteen points, the elections are over a year away. As Lula’s popularity rises, Bolsonaro ups the ante on his eternal campaign mode. Last Sunday, Bolsonaro held a motorcade around Rio de Janeiro with the help of state public funds and over a thousand policemen.
This article is for subscribers only. Please login or subscribe to access our full archives and beautiful print and digital magazine starting at just $3 a month.