On Wednesday (18/10), the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) on the incidents from 8 January approved its final report with the request for indictment of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and 60 other people, including five former ministers. The document mentioned a series of high-rank Armed Forces officers, which damaged even more the already delicate relation between the current government and the military leadership. But this was not the only issue that appeared in this relationship this week. Senate President Rodrigo gave to senator Weverton Rocha (PDT) a position of rapporteur of a project that proposes a change in the impeachment law, indicating that Pacheco wants to move on with the topic.
This Content Is Only For Subscribers
To unlock this content, subscribe to INTERLIRA Reports.
Next Step
The final report, mandatory in parliamentary commissions of inquiry, can only suggest indictments against responsible authorities. The CPI intends to deliver the document to the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), the Federal Police (PF) and the Supreme Federal Court (STF) this week. These institutions will be responsible for carrying out criminal investigations and providing them to Justice, which can judge the case and punish individuals considered responsible, if any are found.
Rapporteur’s Understanding
Eliziane stated that the event on 8 January were the work of the political movement associated to Jair Bolsoanro, called “Bolsonarism” and defended that the former president be indicted for four crimes: criminal association, political violence, violent abolition of the democratic rule of law and coup d’état.
Also appearing in the senator’s list are former Bolsonaro ministers General Walter Braga Netto (who was a candidate for Bolsonaro’s vice-president), General Augusto Heleno, General Luiz Eduardo Ramos, General Paulo Sérgio Nogueira and Anderson Torres.
Armed Forces
Of the 61 names mentioned in the report, 22 are members of the Armed Forces. The CPI suggests the indictment of former Army commander General Marco Antônio Freire Gomes and former Navy commander Admiral Almir Garnier, mentioned in the statement of former aide-de-camp Mauro Cid.
According to media outlets, the request for indictment of eight generals and two former commanders of the Armed Forces for alleged involvement in the coup acts of January 8 angered retired generals. In their assessment, there is, for now, no robust evidence to support the accusations against the military, contrary to the terms defended by the CPI rapporteur, senator Eliziane Gama (PSD-MA).
Impeachment Law
The proposal to reformulate the impeachment law presented by the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), has mobilized military opposition for providing, among other points, a crime of responsibility for commanders of the Armed Forces. The military’s complaint also arises due to fear of a loophole that allows commanders to be judged in two instances: civil and military.
Analysis:
If properly managed, the possibility of having civilians judging top leaders of the Armed Forces can improve civilian rule over the military. Such external control could be a way to enforce democratic stability, something that is very delicate to maintain throughout Brazilian history. However, the Armed Forces are not used to this and will likely not accept it without resistance.
