'Penal populism,' say lawmakers regarding Temer's arrest.
Members of Congress interpreted the arrest of former President Michel Temer as yet another attempt to undermine the political class in the eyes of the public and on social media; even parliamentarians who opposed Temer's administration criticized the Federal Police's action, which they called the "penal populism" of Lava Jato. In a contrasting reaction, allies of President Jair Bolsonaro celebrated.
247 - Members of Congress interpreted the arrest of former President Michel Temer as yet another attempt to undermine the political class in the eyes of the public and on social media. Even parliamentarians who opposed Temer's administration criticized the Federal Police's action, which they called the "penal populism" of Lava Jato. In contrast, allies of President Jair Bolsonaro celebrated.
A report from the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo highlights that "the Senator Tasso Jereissati (PSDB-CE) stated that the climate of "witch hunt" against politicians tends to inflame tensions in the country. "People need to have common sense in this country, and it's not a spectacle for social media that will improve things, it will only make them worse," said the parliamentarian, who opposed the entry of the PSDB party into the Temer government.
The article also includes a statement from Congressman Reginado Lopes, of the PT party: "pAccording to Congressman Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG), Michel Temer's political group "greatly benefited from the abuses of Lava Jato" and is now "experiencing the penal populism that put them in power." The congressman argued that "Temer betrayed the country and democracy," but "that doesn't mean his imprisonment deserves to be celebrated."