Brazil Senate starts potentially damaging probe of president

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Senate on Tuesday began an inquiry into the government’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic, a probe that analysts say could potentially jeopardize the reelection of President Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro has been one of the world's most prominent opponents of restrictions aimed at curbing the disease, whose effects he has often downplayed. He has also encouraged use of medications that scientists say are worthless, and critics say his policies, along with a bungled vaccine campaign, have contributed to the world's second highest COVID-19 death toll.

While the investigation isn’t formally aimed at criminal allegations, it potentially could lead to charges. It's also likely to provide a months-long drumbeat of embarrassing accusations ahead of the October 2022 presidential election.

The probe could weaken his chances against his chief political rival, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who can run for office again only because the Supreme Court recently annulled his two criminal convictions.

It could even damage Bolsonaro’s chances of reaching an eventual presidential runoff, said Gilberto Kassab, leader of the Bolsonaro-allied Social Democratic Party, in an interview with newspaper Valor Economico.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and instead blames governors and mayors, saying their restrictions on activity have caused more problems than the virus itself.

He has frequently flouted public health experts’ recommendations and has had four different health ministers since taking office in 2019. While the nation's pandemic problems have dented his popularity ratings, roughly a third of Brazilians still back him, according to recent polls.

“I don’t see this inquiry as enough for an impeachment drive because that would depend...