When he invited Sergio Moro to be his Justice and Security Minister, Jair Bolsonaro was aware he was taking a risk. While Mr. Moro has his critics, the former Operation Car Wash judge is undeniably one of the most popular figures in Brazil right now and remains the face of anti-corruption in the country. By bringing Mr. Moro into his cabinet, the Bolsonaro administration gained an automatic boost in prestige and credibility.
However, what happens when the president makes a decision that isn’t to Mr. Moro’s liking? Does the Justice Minister have enough popular clout to force Jair Bolsonaro’s hand? The latest developments within the administration could give us a clue as to where this balance of power stands.
The imbroglio concerns Brazil’s money laundering enforcement council, Coaf, which was brought under the purview of Sergio Moro’s Justice Ministry at the beginning of the year. However, members of Congress are maneuvering to cancel this change, putting Coaf back under the umbrella of the Economy Ministry, claiming that too much power has been concentrated in the hands of the Justice Ministry, ergo, in the hands of Mr. Moro.
Congress is considering this change as part of its...
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