Mello Franco denounces Temer's fire sale in buying off Senator Gambiarra.
Columnist Bernardo Mello Franco recounts how interim president Michel Temer bought the vote of Senator Hélio Gambiarra (PMB-DF), handing him the Secretariat of Federal Assets in Brasília; days later, in a recorded conversation, Gambiarra said he could even appoint "watermelons" to the agency; according to Mello Franco, Temer is holding a fire sale to stay in power.
Brasilia 247 – No artigo The impeachment fairIn this column, Bernardo Mello Franco reveals how interim president Michel Temer bought the vote of Senator Hélio Gambiarra (PMB-DF) to remain in power.
"Earlier this year, the senator showed he's a shrewd market trader and chose the fruit of the season: the PMDB party. In March, he set up his stall with the party. In April, he was received by Michel Temer. He left with a bag full of promises of appointments. The interim president rewarded Hélio with the head of the Secretariat of Federal Assets in Brasília. This body manages federal properties in the capital, where the illegal appropriation of public lands has always been a lucrative business," says Mello Franco.
"Last Tuesday (2), the senator went to the office. Career civil servants complained about the allies he appointed. The response was recorded and ended up on the internet: 'This is ours. I put whoever I want here. I'll put whatever watermelon I want here!'"