Brazilian Lira says vaccine corruption allegations do not justify Bolsonaro’s impeachment

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Brazilian MP Arthur Lira, candidate for the presidency of the Lower House for the upcoming elections, looks on during a press conference in Manaus, Brazil, January 7, 2021. REUTERS / Bruno Kelly

BRASLIA, July 6 (Reuters) – Arthur Lira, head of Brazil’s lower house, said on Tuesday that alleged irregularities in the federal government’s purchase of a COVID-19 vaccine did not justify opening a ‘impeachment proceedings against President Jair Bolsonaro.

Lira’s remarks, made in a radio interview, come as Bolsonaro feels the heat for overseeing the world’s second coronavirus toll and a Senate investigation examining alleged corruption in vaccine purchases.

Lira has the power to decide whether or not to initiate impeachment proceedings, but said he currently sees no reason to do so.

“At the moment, there is no new fact which justifies, which has a direct link with the president, other than the fact that a member of the Congress said that he gave him documents, invoices”, Lira said. “So far and so far there are many versions on both sides.”

Lira also noted that an impeachment process would destabilize the country politically and economically.

Bolsonaro was reportedly alerted by lawmaker Lus Miranda and his brother, a health ministry official, of potential irregularities in the purchase of 20 million doses of Covaxin vaccine manufactured by India’s Bharat Biotech in February, according to their testimony before a high level in progress. Senate survey profile. Read more

After the allegations surfaced, Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Rosa Weber authorized an investigation of the president by the Superior Prosecutor’s Office, or PGR, for “breach of duty.” Read more

Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing and claimed he asked then-health minister Eduardo Pazuello to investigate the vaccine procurement process, adding that no irregularities were found.

Reporting by Ricardo Brito Writing by Ana Mano; Editing by Bill Berkrot

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