Brazil's Bolsonaro Faces Impeachment Crisis Over COVID-19 Mismanagement and Corruption Allegations

Prosecutors Officially Investigate Government Embezzlement Allegations in Vaccine Purchases
Impeachment Petition for Bolsonaro Submitted Amid Anti-Government Protests
Approval Ratings Hit Record Low... Lula Says "Presidential Suspension Needed"

President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] As large-scale anti-government protests are underway in Brazil amid allegations of corruption related to the mishandling of COVID-19 and vaccine procurement, the prosecution's investigation into President Jair Bolsonaro has also intensified. In the National Congress, impeachment petitions against President Bolsonaro have been continuously submitted, putting the administration in its greatest crisis yet.

According to local media on the 4th (local time), large-scale anti-government protests involving thousands of citizens took place in 13 state capitals across Brazil that day.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Mario Marconini, manager at global consulting firm Teneo, said, "The 'silent majority' who have felt repulsed by President Bolsonaro have finally started to take to the streets," adding, "Even centrist citizens are joining in."

The protests escalated after the Federal Supreme Court accepted the federal prosecution's request to investigate allegations of breach of trust by President Bolsonaro concerning the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines from Indian pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech the previous day.

The prosecution believes that President Bolsonaro ignored suspicions that senior officials at the Ministry of Health inflated the price of the Indian-made Covaxin and accepted bribes in return.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Previously, controversy over breach of trust arose when it was alleged that the government contracted an amount nearly ten times higher than the price initially disclosed by India.

At a recent congressional hearing, the Ministry of Health's import director stated, "I was pressured from above to approve the import of the Indian vaccine," and added, "I requested an investigation into this matter from the president, but it was ignored."

Moreover, with the COVID-19 death toll surpassing 520,000, criticism of the government's inadequate response is spreading rapidly, fueling negative public opinion against the Bolsonaro administration.

As of the 1st of this month, support for the Bolsonaro government stood at 21%, marking an all-time low. Considering that approval ratings were in the high 30% range in January this year, the decline is significant.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As anti-government sentiment grows, the possibility of President Bolsonaro's impeachment is also increasing. According to local media, more than 120 impeachment petitions have been submitted to the House of Representatives so far.

On the 30th of last month, 46 lawmakers from both left- and right-wing factions gathered to submit an impeachment petition. The impeachment movement includes members of the Social Liberal Party (PSL), the right-wing party to which President Bolsonaro belonged during the 2018 presidential election.

This indicates that a 'anti-Bolsonaro' current is forming across the political spectrum in Brazil, regardless of left or right affiliations.

Former President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva
[Photo by Reuters]

Additionally, former President Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva, known as the 'godfather of the left' and who has hinted at running in next year's presidential election, recently stated in a media interview that the National Congress should request the Federal Supreme Court to suspend the president's duties.

Former President Lula said, "If the allegations of corruption in vaccine procurement are proven true, and claims that the president decided on quarantine measures through a 'shadow cabinet' composed of close aides are confirmed, the parliamentary inquiry committee can request the Supreme Court to suspend the president's duties."

For impeachment to actually proceed, approval from the Speaker of the House is required. However, since House Speaker Arthur Lira, who is favorable to President Bolsonaro, opposes pushing for impeachment, there are claims that it is uncertain whether impeachment will actually take place.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.