In January, FGV’s Department of Public Policy Analysis (DAPP) kicked off a series of weekly online monitoring sessions to track the main political players and topics under public debate. Published on February 9, the DAPP Report - Weekly Data indicates that the debate on social media and the provision of housing benefits to members of the Judiciary branch and Public Prosecution Office generated more than 250,000 mentions on Twitter in only ten days (January 29 to February 7). The hashtag #auxíliomorodia was used in 48,200 posts. After it was revealed that judge Marcelo Bretas used such benefits, discussions emphatically targeted high-profile names from the Lava Jato operation, such as Sergio Moro (71,400 tweets) and Deltan Dallagnol (2,300 tweets).

Despite the extremely polarized scenario in social networks regarding Brazilian politics, the topic managed to bring opposing sides together in unanimous consensus. The debate includes people from the left and right wings, as well as others with no political affiliation who chipped in to criticize the benefit. The debate on housing benefits also influenced discussions regarding other economic topics, particularly the Social Security Reform. Online users questioned whether such reform is actually necessary, from a standpoint of public accounts, when such massive benefits are given to judges.

The Judiciary branch and the Public Prosecution Office share the space with discussions specifically targeting Sérgio Moro and other monikers from operation Lava Jato. Criticism and opinions regarding the benefits and privileges of officers of the court, such as the wage disparity between them and other civil servants in Brazilian society, accounted for 20% of the debate.

The purpose of the report is to break down Brazil’s political scenario according to discussions held in social media, based on an exclusive methodology. The publication is nonpartisan and does not have any political bias.

Go to the website to see the complete results, available in Portuguese.