Today, plenty of action ahead in next week’s Covid inquiry sittings. Big Rio sanitation auction comes with an even bigger caveat. Anvisa clashes with Russian sovereign fund over Sputnik V vaccine.
Four pandemic Health Ministers on the docket
Despite obstruction attempts from government-loyalists, the Senate’s Covid hearings committee approved a number of summons requests, raising the stakes for next week’s sittings. The three Health Ministers ditched by the Jair Bolsonaro administration during the pandemic will all be brought in for questioning, as will incumbent Marcelo Queiroga and Antônio Barra Torres, head of health regulatory agency Anvisa.
Why it matters. All five were summoned as witnesses, not suspects, forcing them to tell the truth under the risk of perjuring themselves and facing arrest. Those representing the government are likely to be coached into giving evasive answers.
- Either way, the potential for embarrassment is high for the government.
Scrutiny. Besides summoning current and former health officials, the committee approved multiple information requests which would lay the government’s pandemic response bare, including expenditures, possible omissions, funds sent to states, meetings, and vaccine management.
Government scores. The administration managed a few wins, approving requests of its own interest. Information requests will be made to...