Brazil is facing another crisis that has left the
country on the edge of the abyss in the political, economic and institutional
field.
The survival of Michel Temer as President seems
like an increasingly remote scenario. After a conversation recording between Temer
and Joesley Batista (one of the owners of JBS company - the world's largest beef
company), it came to the public, the President stands between the rock and a
hard place, since, among other things, had allegedly given consent to pay a
bribe to Eduardo Cunha (former president of the Chamber of Deputies and
currently in jail) to buy his silence. In fact, this recording after much
information and counterinformation, does not prove that fact. Nevertheless, it shows
Temer was at least conniving in the various information provided by the
businessman. He should have reported the crimes confessed by Joesley, or even
immediately issued a jail sentence.
An exasperated hysterism in the disclosure of
this recording by the media group Globo (a biased opinion as it was in the case
of Dilma's impeachment), demonstrated it was a trap perpetrated against the
president and involved several political and economic interests. This recording
has been edited at least 70 times. How does the Attorney General's Office (AGO)
accept it?
Having said that, this doesn’t mean Temer is a
victim, therefore innocent. Anything that involves the content of this hearing
should be investigated as quickly as possible, and the President, surely should
be fully investigated. Presently, this recording doesn’t prove Temer bought the
silence of Eduardo Cunha, in relation to “Lava Jato” scandal.
In this complex plot of interests, which
unfortunately Brazil has accustomed us to, there are no saints.
After a period of economic recovery and job
creation, as well as important reforms for the country (welfare and labor), we came
across with the darkest economic week since Temer took office.
The Batista brothers, beneficiaries of this plea-bargaining,
were treated by the AGO almost as heroes, when in reality they are nothing but
thugs. Former State Prosecutor Marcelo Miller, Janot's right arm man in the “Lava
Jato” work group until March of this year, currently works at the law firm
hired by Joesley Batista to represent the JBS group in closing a leniency
agreement being signed with the public prosecutor’s office. This gentleman,
Marcelo is thus an JBS employee and managed to conjecture a fabulous agreement
for the Batista brothers.
.Aecio Neves (candidate to Brazil’s presidency
in 2014) also suffered consequences from
this plea-bargaining, being removed from the Senate and the presidency of his
party. As for Lula and Dilma, they allegedly received illicitly 150 million USD
from JBS in foreign accounts.
Who is taking advantage from all this?
• The Batista brothers agreed to pay R$ 225 million
in the settlement agreement. They get safe conduct and now live in New Yourk. After all the financial speculation that this
whole situation generated, they made about R$ 1 billion in the purchase of dollars.
• The left wing parties, with special emphasis
on the PT (Workers Party) and Lula da Silva. Lula managed to divert the
attention of his trial for some time. He also calls for the immediate removal
of President Temer and the convening of direct elections. The left wing
movements believe Lula can win a direct election in this context.
The great loser, of course, is President Temer,
his situation is rather shaky. Even if he succeeds in maintaining power, he has
lost all the strength or credibility to be the “helmsman” of reforms that are already under way. AGO
already accuses him of 3 crimes - Obstruction of justice, passive corruption
and organised crime. The present situation may lead into the annulment of his
mandate, his resignation or move forward again to an impeachment process.
If any of these perspectives move forward, the
following question arises: should Brazil advance to direct or indirect
elections? The direct elections are being proclaimed by the PT and other left
wing parties, claiming that with direct elections itb will be restored the
truth and democracy in the political system. Many people are deluded with this
kind of bait. It should be noted, however, that article 81 of the Federal
Constitution in such circumstances with elections scheduled for 2018 is very
clear and considers only indirect elections (national congress) as viable. The
President elected would only hold office until 2018, the year in which direct
election will take place. This movement which aims direct elections is led by
PT and usual supporters. In addition to disrespecting the Constitution, this
movement doesn’t intend to preserve
democracy, but to ensure Lula´s election. It doesn’t recognise Lula and Dilma’s
crimes, thereby isn’t concerned with Brazil. The leftist parties advocate a bolivarianism
which has brought only poverty and misery – see Venezuela.
In short, the Brazilian citizen should take
another look at the ways the country can overcome this crisis and not enter
through cunning ways. He should require the law enforcement and the punishment
of all criminals, regardless of the political faction
Ultimately, this and other recent episodes of
Brazilian politics are putting the political system at risk.
Miguel
Verde - Senior Consultant, Professor of International Relations
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