Bolsonaro Searches for Legal Exit from PSL Party
President wants to avoid break with alliances; Groups say party fund lead to crisis
Jair Bolsonaro told deputies and lawyers at a meeting at Planalto Palace yesterday that he is determined to leave PSL. He is seeking, however, a legal solution to prevent allied parliamentarians interested in leaving with him from being disqualified for infidelity.
At least 20 congressmen would be willing to follow him, including his sons Eduardo (federal deputy) and Flávio (senator). The group intends to use the argument that the PSL leadership breached its program by not being transparent with party fund management.
One wing argues that the phantom candidacy scandal revealed should be singled out as a just cause for disaffiliation.
Lawyers also want to ensure that the funds of the party fund transfer to the president's future party.
Bolsonaro exposed the crisis with the PSL after telling a supporter to forget the party and that the party's president, Luciano Bivar, is "toast."
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon