The revelation that the senator (-RJ), pre-candidate for the Presidency, asked the former banker, then owner of, to make a film about his father, the former president (PL), took Bolsonarists by surprise and caused concern about the political consequences of the case.
The right-wing allies of the Bolsonaro clan were slow to react and sought private money for a private project, without diverting public money, along with an attack on (public policy created in 1991 to grant tax relief to companies that publicly sponsor films, shows and other artistic works).
Information revealed by the website and confirmed by Sheet show that Vorcaro is the feature film about Bolsonaro. Flávio contacted Master’s former banker at least twice with demands for other installments of the contribution, which, according to documents obtained by Intercept.
“We need to separate the innocent from the criminals. In our case, what happened was a son, seeking private sponsorship for a private film about his own father’s story”, wrote the senator, in a note.
The line of defense was adopted by Flávio in a note and video on social media, along with the defense of a (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry) to investigate Banco Master, but it left Bolsonarists apprehensive throughout the afternoon about the damage this could cause to the campaign – with some even suggesting that new revelations could require a replacement of the candidacy, depending on the impact on polls of voting intentions.
On the other hand, members of the political wing of the campaign admitted that the atmosphere was tense, but are betting that new scandals related to Master involving other politicians should help to stifle Flávio’s situation.
The leader of the PL in the Chamber, deputy (RJ), stated that the explanations presented “are clear, coherent and objective” and that the party bench “remains united and confident in senator Flávio Bolsonaro, certain of the fairness of his actions”. “The facts concern the search for private sponsorship for a private project, without any use of public resources,” he wrote.
Other right-wing presidential candidates took advantage of the complaint to disassociate themselves from Flávio Bolsonaro and try to attract conservative votes.
Romeu Zema (Novo) stated that the case was “”.
Renan Santos (Missão) announced that his party would file a request for impeachment by the Senate Ethics Council and stated that “if Brazil is a serious country, Flávio Bolsonaro and Xandão [o ministro Alexandre de Moraes] Go to jail now.”
Presidential candidate for , said that “society demands clarity in relationships between public agents, companies and private interests.”
The left quickly reacted to the case and, minutes after the report aired, government party profiles already released the audio in which Flávio demanded payment from Vorcaro. The orientation was to replicate and disseminate the report as much as possible, to link the Master scandal to the opposition.
Allies and members of the government () called for investigation and arrest of Flávio. PT members consider, however, that the effects of the episode may not be lasting in the electoral base most loyal to Bolsonarism and are betting on the investigation in case it has new developments and continues to reverberate.
The deputy (PT-RJ) to the minister of the (Federal Supreme Court), the PF and the (Attorney General’s Office) asking for Flávio’s preventive detention.
“A week after Flávio said that Banco Master is linked to the PT, audio leaks of him demanding R$ 134 million from Vorcaro. The flat earth doesn’t turn, it capsizes”, wrote the minister (General Secretariat). In the Chamber for a public hearing, Boulos also asked for the senator’s mandate to be revoked.
For the leader of the government in the Senate, (PT-BA), the investigation must be concentrated in the hands of the PF to avoid possible dispersions of a CPI, which is defended by Bolsonarists.
“He’s already talking about the CPI. They want to throw dust in everyone’s eyes, it’s going to turn into a fight. The PF is already investigating, there’s no need for the CPI,” he said. “I think it was lipstick on his underwear for him. He pretends to be more honest than everyone else, saying he was born in Bahia [o caso Master]and ends up getting stuck.”
In the Chamber plenary, the government leader in the House, (PT-RS), reinforced his support for an investigation and asked for the amount that Flávio would have received as sponsorship to be blocked.
“We are going to formalize with the Federal Public Ministry, the Federal Police, and Minister André Mendonça, the immediate blocking of the R$65 million to ensure that this money is reimbursed to the Credit Guarantee Fund, to the FGC. It is stolen money,” he declared.
