Noblat says that, in practice, Temer shielded his ministers.

247 - Michel Temer's decision to only dismiss ministers who become defendants in the Supreme Federal Court (STF) did not convince even Ricardo Noblat. "'The government doesn't want to shield anyone. And it won't shield anyone,' Temer promised. In practice, that's what he did – or tried to. The current ministers will remain employed until the end of the government in 2018," writes the columnist.

"Desperation is growing in every corner where there is a politician interested in knowing the content of plea bargains under judicial secrecy."

Desperation unleashes impulsive initiatives, increases the willingness of most to attempt any maneuver that might guarantee their survival (or rather: their freedom), and fuels conspiracy theories that may or may not come true, as we shall see later.

Jucá's initiative to present a proposed amendment to the Constitution to grant the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate, and the Supreme Federal Court the prerogative, currently exclusive to the President of the Republic, of not being investigated for events prior to their term in office was untimely.

Jucá didn't coordinate the game with anyone. The proposal was buried in less than eight hours, such was the negative reaction it provoked.

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) is ready to swear in Alexandre de Moraes, the replacement for Minister Teori Zavascki, who will assume the role of reviewer for the Lava Jato corruption investigation.

In Alexander, but not only in him, lies the hope of politicians to escape the rigors of justice. That justice may distinguish between those who pocketed money and those who received money to pay campaign expenses – that is what they want, and also what the government wants.

In response to polls and opinion surveys, the vast majority of Brazilians see no difference between bribery and undeclared campaign contributions. They are crimes that undermine democracy and deserve to be punished equally.