Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro recently made a decision to sack the country’s federal police chief.
Bolsonaro now faces a political setback due to this, as Brazil struggles with economic and health crises.
What were the effects of Bolsonaro's decision?
Sèrgio Moro, one-time Bolsonaro ally and Justice Minister, recently announced his resignation in a press conference.
He is one of the most popular and powerful figures in Jair Bolsonaro’s far-right administration.
He accused the leader of trying to interfere in the federal police.
Then the Attorney-General moved the Supreme Court seeking authorisation for a probe into Mr. Moro’s allegations.
The top court approved a 60-day probe into the President’s actions.
The police were reportedly investigating two of the President’s sons, both public officials.
What were the allegations?
The investigations were over alleged fake news dissemination, corruption and mafia group ties.
The President and his sons have dismissed the allegations.
But the move to quickly replace the police chief with a “friend” of one of the President’s sons has strengthened Mr. Moro’s claim.
He maintains that the President wants someone in the police “from whom he can collect intelligence”.
What are the challenges before Bolsonaro?
The probe comes at a time when the President’s handling of Latin America’s largest coronavirus outbreak is already under fire.
Mr. Bolsonaro, who wants the economy to be reopened sooner, recently sacked his Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta over disagreements.
Mr. Bolsonaro is not new to controversies.
From his constant attacks on political rivals, activists, environmentalists and sexual minorities to the controversial handling of the Amazon fires, he has triggered sharp criticism.
But this time, he is perhaps facing his biggest crisis as President.
Mr. Moro and Dr. Mandetta were relatively popular figures in his Cabinet.
The alliance with Mr. Moro, a former judge, had been particularly strong.
With Mr. Moro’s resignation, Mr. Bolsonaro has lost a powerful ally.
He is now surrounded by his unpopular far-right Cabinet colleagues and family.
How does the future look?
Hundreds are dying from COVID-19 and the government appears to be clueless about its containment.
Brazil’s economy is expected to contract 5.3% this year, a sharp fall from the government's projections made earlier.
Mr. Bolsonaro’s approval ratings are also steadily falling.
Left-wing Senators have already launched a campaign to impeach him.
All these point to an isolated, unpopular President who is losing allies and followers and facing a police probe, at a most crucial time (grave political, economic and health crises).
