Brazil’s top electoral court started hearing cases brought against Jair Bolsonaro. According to the lawsuit, his political career may be hampered by an eight-year ban, from holding public office.
The Democratic Labor Party of Brazil brought a lawsuit against the far-right leader, alleging that, he abused his position by utilizing official channels to further his campaign, and create unwarranted suspicions on the nation’s electronic voting system while in office. The case is currently under review by the Judges.
Despite Bolsonaro’s frequent criticism of the electoral process, the lawsuit primarily focused on a gathering he held with foreign ambassadors of last year at the Presidential Palace. The event was shown on state television for about an hour.
Judge Benedito Gonçalves began the session in Brasilia by presenting his report on the case. Though there are two more sessions scheduled for next week, the trial could travel for several months, if one of the other six judges asks for more time to access the matter.
Also, both Bolsonaro’s attorneys and the party that brought the lawsuit, will have time to present their cases. Though, he had denied any misconduct, the former President admitted he could be disqualified from holding public office.
According to Rodrigo Prando, a political science professor, “the evidence against him is very robust.” Bolsonaro provided more evidence against himself than I’ve ever seen from anyone.
In his report on the case, Paulo Gonet a top prosecutor in Brazil, argued that, Bolsonaro should not be allowed to hold public office. The court’s panel, made of justices from Brazil’s two highest courts, the Supreme Court and the Superior Court of Justice, as well as two appointees, will evaluate the report.
In order to make the case that the voting process is unreliable, Bolsonaro allegedly deceived voters about a Federal Police probe into the 2018 elections. In addition, the Former President is being investigated by the Supreme Court for divulging information about an ongoing sealed case.
“I would like to remain 100% active in politics, and taking away my political rights, which in my opinion is an affront, you lose a little bit of that fuel,” Bolsonaro posted on his social media handle.
Bolsonaro Performing Party’s Ceremonial Functions
On the other hand, Bolsonaro headed to Porto Alegre, in southern Brazil, to attend a transportation expo and a Liberal Party function.
He is also expected to assist mayors in their campaign for the municipal election slated for next year. The Liberal Party gained more congressional seats than any other party in the 2022 general election, by riding on Bolsonaro wave.
Moreover, Bolsonaro has the option of appealing to the Supreme Court, if the electoral court denies him his political rights. However, the electoral court is currently dealing with other lawsuits, that are seeking the same resolution, and that only touches the surface of his legal issues, which also include ongoing criminal inquiries against him.
According to Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo, Bolsonaro would continue to hold some political influence until the 2026 Presidential elections, even if he is judged ineligible to contest. If so, Melo pointed out that, Bolsonaro may opt to run in the 2034 presidential election.
“Bolsonaro will be finished as a presidential candidate if he indeed loses this trial,” Melo said. Some voters would only cast their ballots for him, but per the polling data we have access to, the vast majority of conservative and right-leaning voters are willing to consider other candidates, including those who are not endorsed by Bolsonaro.
READ ALSO:UK’s Interest Rate Finally Increased
