Brazilian Congressman Glauber Braga (PSOL-RJ) is undertaking a hunger strike following a recommendation by the Chamber of Deputies' Ethics Council to revoke his mandate. The council voted 13-5 in favor of the recommendation, citing an incident where Braga allegedly pushed and kicked a member of the Movimento Brasil Livre (MBL) in April 2024.
The accusation stems from an altercation between Braga and Gabriel Costenaro of the MBL within the Congress building. Video evidence reportedly shows Braga pushing and kicking Costenaro, even outside the building. A representation was filed by the Novo party in April.
Braga maintains that the MBL activist had a history of provoking him, including insulting his mother. He accuses former House Speaker Arthur Lira of being behind the ethics council's decision.
Braga initiated his hunger strike, consuming only liquids, immediately following the Ethics Council's vote. He plans to continue until the process is concluded. He stated that this radical action is a political decision, signifying his refusal to yield to Lira and the 'secret budget'.
The Ethics Council's report, prepared by Paulo Magalhães (PSD-BA), stated that Braga's actions were incompatible with parliamentary decorum. Magalhães highlighted that the videos proved Braga's assault and that Costenaro did not retaliate.