Aras adjusts route towards Lula at the end of his term – 03/25/2023 – Politics

Six months from ending his mandate at the head of the PGR (Attorney General of the Republic), Augusto Aras adjusted his route of action, in a movement seen as an attempt to approach the Planalto Palace.

After more than three years of management aligned with Jair Bolsonaro (PL), the head of the Federal Public Ministry indicates the possibility of replicating the model with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).

Aras made nods to the current government when defending in early March, for example, changes in the State Law to allow appointments of politicians, reviewing understanding for the maintenance of the text that had been sent days before to the STF (Federal Supreme Court).

In the area of ​​investigation, instead of leaving the task under the responsibility of the deputy PGR, Lindôra Araújo, one of the names most aligned with Bolsonarism at the top of the institution and who assists him in the Supreme Court, he appointed another colleague to carry out the inquiries of the acts January 8 scammers.

It is a movement that members of the MPF heard privately by the Sheet classified as “expected”, given the profile of the Aras management. Wanted, he did not manifest.

In September, Lula will decide what to do after the end of the mandate of the current holder of the PGR. The petista can renew him for another two years in office or choose another name, even outside the triple list drawn up by prosecutors in an internal vote, which he has already said he will do.

“The only thing I’m sure of is that I’m not going to choose another triple list”, he said.

The petista blames Operation Lava Jato, whom he called “kids”, for not making use of the tradition that he himself inaugurated in his first term. The president has said that he has no one in mind at the moment and will not appoint anyone to “benefit” him.

In a note, the ANPR stated that “by treating the definition of the PGR as a personal choice, the President of the Republic relinquishes the transparency necessary for the process and distances himself from the concern with the autonomy of the institution and with the independence” of the holder of the position.

Lula’s words contrast with the PT’s critical attitude when Bolsonaro, in 2019, chose the current head of the Attorney’s Office, disregarding the triple stripe.

Aras wants to participate in the nomination of his successor by the PT government, and does not rule out reappointing himself — he is in his second term.

The attorney general’s route adjustment began in December, in the transitional government, when the PGR changed its position on the rapporteur’s amendments, becoming critical of the instrument gestated in the Bolsonaro administration to have support in the National Congress.

Other cases would follow. The Public Prosecutor’s Office asked for the seizure of a weapon owned by Deputy Carla Zambelli (PL-SP), one of the most voted Bolsonarist parliamentarians, the subject of an investigation by the STF.

Aras also called the court against Bolsonaro’s decree that granted pardon to convicts, including the military police of the Carandiru massacre, in São Paulo.

The head of the MPF asked the Supreme Court to immediately suspend the effectiveness of a section of the rule, “as a way of avoiding the emptying of the dozens of convictions in the case”.

The day after the January 8 coup acts, Lula met with governors. Ministers of the Supreme Court participated in the meeting, including the president of the court, Rosa Weber.

Also present at the meeting, Aras denied that there was an omission by the PGR in repeated anti-democratic demonstrations encouraged by the former president and his allies in recent years. He assured that he would act to hold the vandals accountable.

“During the events of 2021 and 2022 we did not have any act of violence capable of attacking democracy as seen yesterday [8 de janeiro] “, he stated at the time.

The holder of the PGR created a group, under the coordination of deputy prosecutor Carlos Frederico Santos, to act in the investigations. Bolsonaro and former justice minister Anderson Torres, one of the former president’s closest assistants, were among the targets.

There are seven investigations open at the Supreme Court to determine those responsible for the acts. Three are investigating the participation of Bolsonarist federal deputies under suspicion of having instigated the attacks: André Fernandes (PL-CE), Clarissa Tércio (PP-PE) and Silvia Waiãpi (PL-AP).

Another two target executors, financiers and those who materially helped the acts. There is also one that investigates the intellectual authors and instigators. In this inquiry, Bolsonaro is investigated.

So far, the Attorney General’s Office has denounced 1,187 people, most of them arrested in the vicinity of the Army Headquarters in Brasilia.

So far, there is no news of formal accusations against intellectual authors, financiers or politicians inciting the acts, which according to members of the Public Prosecutor’s Office heard by the Sheet it is a sign that deference to Bolsonarism still survives in the body.

In a recent demonstration, one of Aras’ main assistants, deputy PGR, Lindôra Araújo, told the STF that the former president did not commit crimes or acts of impropriety in the presentation with coup threats to foreign ambassadors in July last year. She requested the archiving of a request for verification presented by opposing deputies of the former representative.

The parliamentarians alleged suspicions of crimes against the democratic rule of law, electoral crimes, crimes of responsibility and acts of administrative impropriety.

An investigation is underway at the Superior Electoral Court that could lead Bolsonaro to ineligibility on the same fact. On the initiative of the PDT, from Lula’s support base, it is the action under analysis with the fastest progress and appointed as the first candidate to be judged.

The Attorney General’s Office is represented in the electoral court by Paulo Gonet Branco, appointed by Aras as deputy electoral attorney general. Gonet is one of the names mentioned among the candidates to command the PGR in the 2023-2025 biennium.

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Understand the role of the Attorney General of the Republic

What does the Attorney General of the Republic do?He is the head of the Federal Public Ministry, which includes the Federal Public Ministry, the Military Public Ministry, the Labor Public Ministry and the Federal District and Territories Public Ministry.

Represents the MPF in the superior courts, with administrative attributions linked to the other spheres of the MPU. Investigates and denounces politicians with special jurisdiction in the STF (Federal Supreme Court). And he is the electoral attorney general, at the TSE (Superior Electoral Court).

What types of actions can the PGR offer?In the Supreme Court, it can propose actions of unconstitutionality, represent for federal intervention in the states and file civil and criminal actions. In the STJ, it may represent the federalization of cases of crimes against human rights, for example.

How long does your term last?The attorney general’s term lasts two years. He can hold the same position in another term and there is no limit to the number of reappointments allowed.

What are the rules for being nominated for the position?Under current rules, provided for in the Constitution, the president can choose any public prosecutor over 35 years of age for the role. The name is submitted to the Senate for approval by an absolute majority (41 votes).

What is the procedure for the appointment of the PGR in the Legislative?To become attorney general, you must go through a sabbatical at the Senate Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ), have your name approved by the commission and then by the plenary of the House by an absolute majority — 41 senators.

What is a triple list for the PGR?The ANPR (National Association of Attorneys of the Republic) holds an internal election every two years to define who the members of the category most want in the position of Attorney General of the Republic.

The three most voted candidates make up an informal triple list, which is sent to the President of the Republic.

How does the election work?Traditionally, any prosecutor of the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, in activity and over 35 years old, can apply, acting in the first, second or higher instance. Each voter can vote for three names.

Is the president obliged to follow the triple list?The president is not obliged to follow this suggestion and can appoint someone from outside the triple list. Today, the document is just a suggestion to the Chief Executive. There are initiatives in the Senate and in the House to link the nomination to the list drawn up by MPF members.