The natural replacement of the current PGR, HÉLDER PITTA-GRÓZ (HPG) would be the vice-PGR, MOTA LIZ (ML). ML's choice was considered “doubtful” for reasons such as not being well accepted by influential sectors of the regime, but above all because JL was advised to appoint a magistrate with a more independent profile.

The replacement of the current PGR was formally attributed to having reached the age limit. His appointment took place, in 2017, at the beginning of JL's term. The fact that he held the position of vice-PGR is pointed out as one of the criteria that then led the CSMMP to indicate his name at the head of a list of three proposed to the PR for appointment.

HPG is generally recognized an effort to promote the idea that he holds office with a spirit of independence on a par with independent judicial systems, but he is considered to do so to elude an opposite reality, part of which is due to the “permissiveness” which he reveals in the face of the PR's inclinations to interfere in the functioning of justice, which occurs in light of the preponderance over the sector that the current constitution confers on him. READ MORE