Master case became a scandal that no one in Brasília wants to explore, say analysts

The case involving Banco Master and businessman Daniel Vorcaro had an unusual effect in Brasília. Although it caused damage to the presidential candidacy of Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), the case did not become a major opposition flag, nor an open dispute between the government and its opponents.

For specialists heard in Mapa de Risco, the policy program of the InfoMoneythe explanation lies in the breadth of relationships built by the bank in recent years. Unlike other political scandals, such as Mensalão or Operation Lava Jato, the Master case arouses caution in practically all political groups.

“There is an important difference between this episode and other major scandals. In Mensalão or Lava Jato there was a perception of who was being affected. In the case of Master, no. The bank built very broad relationships in Brasília. No one knows exactly how far this story could go nor who could end up being reached”, said political scientist Leonardo Barreto, in this Friday’s episode (26).

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According to him, this uncertainty helps explain why the topic lost space in the political debate even after having an impact on electoral polls.

In the scientist’s assessment, few actors have the incentive to deepen a discussion that could reach allies or open new fronts of erosion.

“The case produces a curious situation: many people prefer to observe rather than lead the attack. It is a scandal in which no one has the confidence to say that the developments will be restricted to the opponent”, he said.

XP political analyst João Paulo Machado observes that the electoral effect of the case ended up being faster than its political exploitation.

According to him, the episode has already fulfilled part of the role of raising doubts about Flávio Bolsonaro’s candidacy, especially among moderate voters, without the need for a permanent offensive by the opposition.

“The crisis had an important initial impact on the perception of the candidacy’s viability. After that, it entered a kind of waiting period, in which everyone follows the next developments before deciding which strategy to adopt”, he stated.

For experts, this dynamic makes the Master case different from other recent scandals in Brazilian politics. Instead of fueling an open war between government and opposition, the episode began to be treated with caution by the different groups in Brasília.

This does not mean that the topic has lost relevance. On the contrary. The assessment is that its effects will depend less on public debate and more on the evolution of investigations and the eventual emergence of new facts.

The Risk Map, the policy program of the InfoMoneyairs every Friday, starting at 6am, on YouTube and your favorite podcast player.