Attack on Temer's B-side aims to save Meirelles.
Criticism of Michel Temer's "monstrous" side, as seen in Época magazine's cover inspired by the book "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde," or the portrayal of the "Temer versus Temer" struggle, as Veja did, aims to preserve what would be the interim president's virtuous side: his choice of Henrique Meirelles for the economy. Since it has become increasingly difficult to defend a government with three ministers dismissed in less than forty days and many others in danger, the media outlets that have engaged in the Temer project attack the interim president on moral grounds, but still try to preserve his economic program.
247 - Coincidence or not, Veja and Época magazines circulated with similar covers this weekend. Both deal with the clash between what would be a modern and virtuous Michel Temer versus an archaic Temer surrounded by corrupt individuals.
The magazine was more explicit and drew inspiration from the book "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" ("The Doctor and the Monster"), by Robert Louis Stevenson, about a doctor whose personality combines goodness and a monstrous side (read more). here).
The two covers reflect the difficulty that Brazilian media outlets, which engaged in the Temer project, have been having in defending a government that lost three ministers in less than 40 days. Romero Jucá, from Planning, fell for plotting against Lava Jato. Fabiano Silveira, from Transparency, likewise. And Henrique Eduardo Alves asked to leave after the Attorney General's office discovered his secret accounts in Switzerland.
If that weren't enough, the Attorney General's Office requested an investigation into Mendonça Filho, the Minister of Education, and the Public Prosecutor's Office also requested the freezing of assets belonging to Eliseu Padilha, the Chief of Staff. Furthermore, Geddel Vieira Lima was mentioned in the OAS plea bargain – which could also happen with Foreign Minister José Serra.
With so many setbacks, the Temer government becomes practically indefensible from the standpoint of public ethics. For this very reason, in denouncing the "dark side" of the interim president, Veja and Época are trying to salvage the "a" side, which would be the choice of orthodox figures in the economy, such as Henrique Meirelles at the Finance Ministry and Ilan Goldfajn at the Central Bank.
In other words, Temer has not yet been abandoned by the media outlets that have become partners in the impeachment project. For this group, what matters is carrying out the Meirelles Plan.