A good repentance is the best medicine for infirmities of the soul.
Cervantes
Former President Michel Temer is seen as a peacemaker. Even in the most acute moments of political disputes he was always serene and conciliatory. Perhaps the greatest example of this friendly characteristic was the tsunami provoked by Bolsonaro on the famous September 7th.
Excited by the presence of the crowd that applauded him on Avenida Paulista, Bolsonaro went beyond the point and said what he shouldn’t say. Just to give an idea of the aggressiveness of his speech, it is enough to mention the attack he made on the Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Alexandre de Moraes:
Either that minister fits in, or he asks to leave. Get out, Alexandre de Moraes! Stop being a scoundrel!
crisis in institutions
This aggressive and blunt pronouncement seemed to have no turning back. He was clearly attacking one of Brazil’s three powers. This confrontation between the institutions that guarantee the country’s democracy has turned into a veritable powder keg. There was an imminent risk that the population, instigated by the president’s words, would invade the premises of the highest Brazilian court.
If these facts were to occur, it would be characterized as a crime and Bolsonaro could be “impeached”. Even if he had the support of the population, with a deputy not interested in the fall of the chief executive and with the majority of Congress not hostile to his government, it would be difficult to prevent him from being removed from power.
Recoiled
Feeling that he had made a mistake, he immediately asked the population to remain calm and not go ahead with the intention of attacking the Supreme Court building. He then requested that former president Michel Temer go to Brasília to mediate a conversation between him and Minister Alexandre de Moraes. In addition to the former president’s experience and his conciliatory profile, it was he who had nominated Moraes to be one of the togados in that prestigious house.
It worked at first. Although the content of the dialogue has not been disclosed, there was this communication between the two over the phone. Temer also helped to write a letter to be released to the Nation, signed by Bolsonaro, in which he denied the intention to attack Poderes. The situation was turned around. Everything suggested that from then on, the coexistence would become harmonious. It was not.
everything as before
Moraes never missed a single opportunity to lash out at the president. He gave the impression of wanting to test the first incumbent’s limits and tease him until he could rebel again and get tangled up in his own trap. Bolsonaro suspected that this was the goal and swallowed all the frogs he needed to swallow. Perhaps an opportunity would arise in the future to confront the minister without leaving the borders of the Constitution.
Last week, he had that chance. The day after Daniel Silveira was sentenced by the STF to eight years and nine months in prison for the elastic score of ten to one, Bolsonaro published a decree granting “grace” to the deputy. This initiative took the country by surprise. It is the prerogative of the president to grant this benefit. It’s in the Charter.
undesirable litigation
As much as the Supreme and the opposition can kick, and even if they find a way to revoke this decision, the first president cannot be accused of breaking the law. But the animosity, which was already huge between the two powers, intensified even more.
Once again Michel Temer enters the scene. On Friday, the 22nd, the former president suggested that Bolsonaro revoke, at least momentarily, the decree that freed the deputy. The notorious firefighter of political bullshit claimed that, as the process had not yet become final, the ideal would be for the president to go back to avoid an institutional crisis between the two powers. Bolsonaro’s answer was laconic: no. Followed by a thumbs up sign.
another recipient
The first time, the president was tangled up with his verbal improprieties. Not now. It is backed by the letter of the Constitution. Perhaps it would be the case now to suggest that Temer direct his message to another recipient, Minister Alexandre de Moraes himself.
I could say, for example: Alexandre, last time, was the president who raised the white flag and retreated to avoid shaking the institutions. I think that now, you, my dear godson, are the ones who should put on warm cloths.
This would require humility and resignation. Is there?
Supertips of the week
Deciding for revenge is almost always a big mistake Even if you are right, victory is not always the best way Good coexistence is an eternal exercise of tolerance and resignation There are disputes in which both winners and losers are defeated
Books of my authorship that help to reflect on this theme: “How to speak correctly and without inhibitions”, “The secrets of good communication in the corporate world” and “Oratory for lawyers”, published by Editora Saraiva. “29 minutes to speak well in public”, published by Editora Sextante. “Oratorio for religious leaders”, published by Editora Planeta.
