With the aim of guaranteeing more time for the Bets CPI to operate, Senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos-MS) may appeal to the Federal Supreme Court (STF).
The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) is investigating online gambling companies, for which Thronicke is the rapporteur. According to information, this hypothesis is only considered if the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), does not read the request that already has 29 signatures – two more than the required number.
The CPI’s deadline was extended by 45 days, however, a shorter period than the 130 days suggested by the rapporteur. Before appealing to the Supreme Court, the senator should insist on negotiations directly with Alcolumbre. Despite this, the president has not given any recent indication of extending the committee’s deadline again.
This practice is not unprecedented among parliamentarians. On July 5, 2021, senators Alessandro Vieira (Cidadania-SE) and Jorge Kajuru (Podemos-GO) asked the Court to extend the CPI of the Covid-19 Pandemic. At the time, the installation of the commission was made possible by an injunction granted by Minister Luís Roberto Barroso in April 2021, which was later ratified by the plenary.
Presence of influencers should boost sessions of the Bets CPI
The rapporteur of the Bets CPI highlighted that the hearings of digital influencers will give more visibility to the collegiate. Last Wednesday (14/5), the testimony of influencer Luiz Ricardo Melquiades took place. And, the day before (13/5), that of Virgínia Fonseca, which had great national repercussion.
In addition, the rapporteur presented a request to invite Father Patrick Fernandes, who has more than 6 million followers on social media, to testify. The gesture was replicated by the chairman of the CPI, Dr. Hiran (PP-RR), and by Senator Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF). The CPI still needs to vote on the request and set a date for the priest’s testimony.
In the request presented to the CPI, Senator Soraya Thronicke pointed out that it is important to hear him. “Father Patrick Fernandes voluntarily made himself available to this CPI, expressing his interest in collaborating with the commission’s work”, she explained.
Thronicke’s report should provide information on the responsibility of influencers, however, without criminal classification. The idea is that the text will point out violations in the Consumer Protection Code, for example.
The senators who are members of the CPI have already indicated that there should be no impactful developments in relation to influencers. Another point that should be included in the report by the senator are legislative proposals to combat gambling addiction.
