President Jair Bolsonaro is planning a rush of bill announcements for this week, in an attempt to whitewash the political crisis caused by Folha's reporting on his party's money embezzlement scheme during last year's general elections. Minister Gustavo Bebianno's firing might also be used as an opportunity for the military officers in the president's inner circle to consolidate their influence around Bolsonaro.
Bebianno's expected firing from President's General Secretariat will clear the path for an eighth minister coming from the Brazilian Armed Forced, General Floriano Peixoto. The servicemen working for the president followed the fracas among Bebianno, Bolsonaro and son Carlos with much concern. They now are working to widen their influence to minimize the episode's political strain.
Bolsonaro also wants to divert attention by announcing two large bills regarding the main topics from his campaign, the war on crime and fixing the economy. Justice minister Sergio Moro will present his bill proposals to the Brazilian Congress on Tuesday (19th). On Wednesday (20th), Bolsonaro will make a live announcement on broadcast TV about the Social Security reform.
Translated by NATASHA MADOV