Today, Bolsonaro’s former Foreign Minister takes the stand in the Covid inquiry. The hurdles to privatize Brazil’s massive energy company. Public companies knock Q1 out of the park.
Former Foreign Minister in the firing line today
This week’s Covid hearings sessions are the most anticipated so far, with former Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo speaking before senators today, before ex-Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello takes the stand tomorrow. While the latter obtained permission from the Supreme Court to remain in silence when asked questions that could incriminate himself, Mr. Araújo has no such legal protection and will have to respond to the questions presented to him.
- After last week’s tense outings — with President Jair Bolsonaro’s son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, trading insults with the committee’s rapporteur — Mr. Araújo should expect anything but softball questions.
On their minds. The former Foreign Minister will be grilled on how his Sinophobic statements may have hindered Brazil’s efforts to secure enough vaccines for a steady rollout. The Chinese-made CoronaVac accounts for 70 percent of jabs in Brazilians’ arms so far, but local production has now stopped due to a lack of raw materials, which are awaiting export clearance in China.
- He should also face...