BRAZIL LAWMAKERS PROBE SCAMS IN BOLSONARO’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

An 11-member parliamentary committee in Brazil on Tuesday began probing the actions of President Jair Bolsonaro during the coronavirus pandemic, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported.

Bolsonaro is accused of having first refused and then delayed the purchase of vaccines as well as having misappropriated federal funds in the fight against the pandemic.

Latest figures show 391,936 people in Brazil have died with COVID-19. Only the United States, India, and Mexico have experienced higher numbers. In the first four months of this year alone, Brazil registered as many coronavirus deaths as in the whole of last year.

Right-wing populist Bolsonaro has consistently downplayed the virus since the beginning of the pandemic. He has rejected several protective measures for economic reasons. He also cast doubt on the need for vaccinations.

Majority of the members are either neutral or opposed to Bolsonaro.

The final report could serve as a basis for requesting impeachment proceedings against Bolsonaro. However, the opening of such proceedings depends on the president of the Chamber of Deputies - who is considered an ally of Bolsonaro's government.

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