Motta is advised not to irritate Moraes and should postpone amnesty projects

After promising Bolsonaro supporters that he would consider including the bill that grants amnesty to the January 8 coup plotters on the agenda, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB) has been warned by allies not to irritate the minister of the Supreme Federal Court, Alexandre de Moraes .

The fear arises because Moraes is the rapporteur of the Direct Action of Constitutionality, proposed by the Lula government (PT), on the overturn of the IOF increase. Motta is the main interested party in maintaining the veto and saw this Friday the 4th the minister of the STF suspend the effects of the decrees of the Executive and Legislative branches that dealt with the matter.

In his X account, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies said that Moraes' decision "avoids the increase in the IOF in line with the wishes of the majority of the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies and society." "We remain open to institutional dialogue, with respect and serenity, always seeking to balance public accounts and sustainable economic growth," he said.

Motta even sought out Moraes in Portugal, behind the scenes at the 13th edition of the Lisbon Legal Forum, an event held annually by Minister Gilmar Mendes, to discuss the issue.

The amnesty and the overturning of the IOF increase are not related cases, but because they have the same rapporteur, it is preferable, according to Motta's aides, not to provoke Minister Moraes, who can define the victory or defeat of Congress on these issues.

Options for Motta

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies told Bolsonaro supporters that he could table the amnesty bill before the parliamentary recess. The promise had already been made by the President of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), who is considering releasing Alessandro Vieira's (MDB-SE) bill before July 17.

It turns out that it is not yet known which project may be voted on by the Chamber: the precursor, authored by former deputy Major Vitor Hugo (PL-GO), that of Alessandro Vieira, or a third alternative.

The main difference from the Bolsonaro bill, which is being processed in the Chamber, is that Vieira's text does not grant broad and unrestricted amnesty, but proposes a proportional reduction in sentences for specific cases, maintaining individualized criminal liability and excluding organizers and financiers from the benefit.

Vitor Hugo's project seeks to pardon practically everyone involved in demonstrations from October 30, 2022 onwards, including support for speeches and posts on social media.