Bolsonaro gives public administrators a pass

President Jair Bolsonaro issued a provisional decree that frees public agents — including himself — from being held liable for mistakes committed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Under the argument of protecting members of the government from punishment for “gross error without guilt,” the new law can be applied to all elected officials, such as Mr. Bolsonaro, governors, and mayors.

The decree defines that the public agents will only be held responsible for such acts — or omission — when “intent or gross error” is proven. “He created a legal basis to exempt himself from liability for a situation that he himself has created,” explained lawyer Rafael Valim, an expert in administrative law.

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