Sérgio Moro’s exit may precipitate Bolsonaro’s fall

But political parties will have to move quickly and show willingness to do more than just talk

Former judge and now former justice minister Sérgio Moro may be responsible for overthrowing the second president of his career. First, he contributed to Dilma Rousseff’s impeachment by unveiling the immense corruption scheme involving her party, the Worker’s Party, as well as sending former President Lula da Silva to prison.

Now, his departure from Bolsonaro’s government has opened an unprecedented crisis that could precipitate the president’s downfall, which has already been severely criticized for the way he has dealt with the coronavirus pandemic.

On Thursday night, it was said in the corridors of Brasília that Sérgio Moro’s right-hand man, Federal Police Chief Maurício Valeixo, would be exonerated from the institution’s command — and that Moro, therefore, would not agree to remain in office. Negotiations followed between the still-minister and President Jair Bolsonaro. They were unsuccessful. Although Moro was granted full autonomy when he took office, the promise proved to be false.

Bolsonaro is known for not tolerating that his subordinates have more light of their own than he does, the resignation of Health Minister…