8/1 investigation interests everyone, says Múcio – 04/12/2023 – Politics

On an unprecedented day for the Armed Forces, with 89 soldiers, 3 of them generals, deposing due to a coup attempt in Brasília, the Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro, maintained the appeasing tone that has guided his relationship with the uniforms.

“Everyone is interested in the investigation”, summarized the minister, in a brief conversation with the Sheet as he made his way to a Navy helicopter landed in Riocentro, where he has an office set up at LAAD, the largest military fair in Latin America.

Múcio declined to comment particularly on the question of the depositions, which are underway in the federal capital. Investigation conducted by the Federal Supreme Court wants to know if there was leniency or co-participation of the military with the Bolsonarist coup plotters who invaded and destroyed the headquarters of the three Powers on January 8.

Laconism is consistent with the work carried out by Múcio since December, when he was called by the then president-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) to try to rebuild bridges between the PT and the military, imploded during four years of symbiotic relationship of significant portions of the Forces. Armed with the government of retired captain Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

The nominated minister met with Bolsonaro himself to defuse the institutional revolt suggested by the then Forces commanders, who wanted to leave office before the appointment of successors so as not to submit to Lula. The military leaders did not even agree to speak with Múcio, who finally found a Solomonic solution and chose the new commanders in December.

As nothing is simple in Brazil, Múcio began to be bombed by the PT, particularly after Bolsonarists camped in front of the Army HQ in Brasília formed the core of the 8/1 coup assault troops. Even Lula questioned his appeasement stance.

Compounding the crisis, there was the resignation of the Army commander, Júlio Cesar de Arruda, who displeased the Planalto in conducting the post-8/1 and maintained the promotion of Bolsonaro’s assistant, Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, to a post strategic.

So far, however, Mucius has prevailed. He put Lula to lunch with the Admiralty and did not object to the suggested promotion of an official known for Bolsonarism to join the collegiate. Now, the president will meet with the High Command of the Army and, later, with the Air Force.

The new head of the Army, General Tomás Ribeiro Paiva, leads a program of internal depoliticization of the Force. It has been heavily criticized by some sectors, expressed through military websites, right-wing bloggers and WhatsApp groups.

The minister presented an alternative proposal to the PT’s to change the rules of the relationship with the military. Instead of changing the controversial article 142 of the Constitution, Múcio advanced a project that obliges uniforms to take off their uniforms if they want to enter politics, with no way back.

Finally, he also prioritized the creation of mechanisms to fund new military projects and stimulate the Defense industry, which accounts for 4.5% of the Gross Domestic Product and depends on the government as a primary customer.

Whether this all works out is now unfathomable, but politicians from government-aligned parties praise Defense’s willingness and promise parliamentary support for whatever is needed.