With Bolsonaro under fire, Prosecutor General says impeachment is up to Congress

Prosecutor General Augusto Aras says impeachment is up to Congress

The Office of the Prosecutor General released a statement on Tuesday affirming that any illicit acts committed by authorities “at the head of the Republic’s branches of power” during the pandemic must be adjudicated by Congress — in a veiled reference to the potential impeachment of President Jair Bolsonaro.

While not directly mentioning the possibility of ousting Mr. Bolsonaro, the Prosecutor General’s press office confirmed that the statement is a response to increased demands regarding the potential removal of President Jair Bolsonaro from office.

Talk of impeachment has increased in recent days, boosted by the dramatic scenes of the public health crisis in Manaus, where Covid-19 patients were left to suffocate to death due to a shortage of oxygen cylinders in hospitals.

The Prosecutor General’s Office states that Brazil finds itself in a delicate situation, but argues in favor of “moderation and prudency,” in favor of institutional stability.

“Political segments clamor for criminal measures against federal, state, and municipal authorities. The Prosecutor General [Augusto Aras], in the scope of his responsibilities and observing Supreme Court decisions regarding the division of jurisdiction between federal, state, and municipal governments, has been adopting all applicable measures since the beginning of the pandemic,” reads the statement.

“Potential illicit acts that result in the liability of political agents at the head of the Republic’s branches of power are the jurisdiction of the Legislative branch.”