Two sons of the caretaker Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have applied for Italian citizenship, days after their father lost the presidential rerun to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the left-wing Workers' Party. Bolsonaro's term ends on January 1, following which, he will be succeeded by President-elect Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro's son Flavio Bolsonaro, a Brazilian senator himself, and his brother Eduardo Bolsonaro, a member of the Brazilian Congress, were reportedly spotted at the Italian embassy in the capital Brasilia on Tuesday this week.&nbsp;

I have the right to apply for Italian citizenship: Flavio Bolsonaro

“My family is of Italian origin and I have the right to apply for Italian citizenship, which started to be dealt with in September 2019,” Flavio said in a statement while denying any plans to leave the country.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“I will be a senator of the republic for four more years and I intend to run for re-election, so before anyone starts to create far-fetched theories, leaving the country is not an option for me,” he added.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-bolsonaro-does-not-acknowledge-election-loss-in-first-speech-transition-of-power-to-begin-530373">Brazil: Bolsonaro fails to acknowledge election loss in first speech; transition of power to begin</a>

Bolsonaro and his two sons Flavio and Eduardo face accusations of alleged theft of staff salaries during their terms as congressmen. Da Silva, who went to prison for corruption, a charge now overturned by the country's judiciary, used the issue in his campaign, saying, “On my first day of government, I will lift these secrecies.”

'Bolsonaro fears being arrested'

The Congressman-elect Guilherme Boulos, an ally of President-elect Lula da Silva, told 'The Times' newspaper that he senses that 'the rats are escaping'. Earlier, he had said that "Bolsonaro's fear is not losing the election, it's being arrested. Both him and his family."

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-presidential-elections-bolsonaro-lula-trade-blows-in-final-debate-529459">Brazil Presidential elections: Bolsonaro, Lula trade blows in final debate</a>

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Bolsonaro's presidential tenure was riped with assertions from the outgoing president that his government had "zero corruption". However, Bolsonaro and his inner circle have faced accusations and subsequent investigations related to the alleged misappropriation of public funds. The investigations never reached their conclusion. However, after leaving office, Bolsonaro will have no immunity if found guilty.&nbsp;

In Brazil, the inauguration of new presidential tenure begins on New Year's Day. The country follows the tradition in which the outgoing president hands over the presidential sash to the new head of state. However, reports quoting sources close to Bolsonaro, have claimed that Bolsonaro will be 'travelling'&nbsp;during that period and will not take part in the inauguration ceremony.&nbsp;

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Two sons of the caretaker Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have applied for Italian citizenship, days after their father lost the presidential rerun to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the left-wing Workers' Party.

Two sons of the caretaker Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have applied for Italian citizenship, days after their father lost the presidential rerun to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the left-wing Workers' Party. Bolsonaro's term ends on January 1, following which, he will be succeeded by President-elect Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro's son Flavio Bolsonaro, a Brazilian senator himself, and his brother Eduardo Bolsonaro, a member of the Brazilian Congress, were reportedly spotted at the Italian embassy in the capital Brasilia on Tuesday this week. I have the right to apply for Italian citizenship: Flavio Bolsonaro “My family is of Italian origin and I have the right to apply for Italian citizenship, which started to be dealt with in September 2019,” Flavio said in a statement while denying any plans to leave the country. “I will be a senator of the republic for four more years and I intend to run for re-election, so before anyone starts to create far-fetched theories, leaving the country is not an option for me,” he added. ALSO READ | Brazil: Bolsonaro fails to acknowledge election loss in first speech; transition of power to begin Bolsonaro and his two sons Flavio and Eduardo face accusations of alleged theft of staff salaries during their terms as congressmen. Da Silva, who went to prison for corruption, a charge now overturned by the country's judiciary, used the issue in his campaign, saying, “On my first day of government, I will lift these secrecies.” 'Bolsonaro fears being arrested' The Congressman-elect Guilherme Boulos, an ally of President-elect Lula da Silva, told 'The Times' newspaper that he senses that 'the rats are escaping'. Earlier, he had said that "Bolsonaro's fear is not losing the election, it's being arrested. Both him and his family." WATCH | Brazil Presidential elections: Bolsonaro, Lula trade blows in final debate × Bolsonaro's presidential tenure was riped with assertions from the outgoing president that his government had "zero corruption". However, Bolsonaro and his inner circle have faced accusations and subsequent investigations related to the alleged misappropriation of public funds. The investigations never reached their conclusion. However, after leaving office, Bolsonaro will have no immunity if found guilty. In Brazil, the inauguration of new presidential tenure begins on New Year's Day. The country follows the tradition in which the outgoing president hands over the presidential sash to the new head of state. However, reports quoting sources close to Bolsonaro, have claimed that Bolsonaro will be 'travelling' during that period and will not take part in the inauguration ceremony. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bolsonaro's son says 'leaving the country not an option' but applies for Italian citizenship

Brazilian President Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;fired a health official on Wednesday after he reportedly asked for a bribe in a coronavirus vaccine deal, the latest graft accusation to rock the government and spark fresh calls for the president's impeachment.

With over half a million COVID-19 deaths, Brazilians are fuming over missed opportunities to buy vaccines. A Senate probe has unearthed alleged corruption, with health ministry insiders and pro-Bolsonaro&nbsp;lawmakers allegedly seeking to fast-track and overpay for an Indian vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech.

On Wednesday, when Brazil recorded 2,081 new COVID-19 deaths, federal prosecutors and the federal police launched a criminal probe into the Indian vaccine deal, according to a document seen by Reuters.

The scandal has triggered fresh calls for impeachment against&nbsp;Bolsonaro, a divisive right-winger, who has underplayed the severity of the pandemic, railed against lockdowns, pushed unproven remedies, and sowed vaccine doubts.

On Wednesday, lawmakers from across the political spectrum, social groups and lawyers filed a collective impeachment request, the latest in over 100 similar filings that have gone unheeded by the speaker of the lower house of Congress.

Bolsonaro&nbsp;and Bharat have denied any wrongdoing. On Wednesday, he came out swinging against the Senate probe.

"They can't touch us," he said in televised comments during a visit to the city of Ponta Pora on the Paraguayan border. "It won't be with lies ... that they will get us out of here."

He did not comment on the dismissal of the official, Health Ministry logistics chief Roberto Ferreira Dias, formalized in Wednesday's official gazette, or the allegations against him.

On Tuesday, Brazil suspended the Indian vaccine contract, worth 1.6 billion reais ($321 million). On Wednesday, the country's health regulator suspended its emergency use application, citing incomplete paperwork provided by the intermediary selling the shot.

Newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported late on Tuesday that Dias had suggested a bribe of one dollar per dose at a dinner to discuss a different order of 400 million vaccines, citing a representative from a medical supply company.

The health ministry said the dismissal of Dias was decided on Tuesday morning, but did not address the allegations.

Dias could not be reached immediately for comment.

Leaders of the Senate inquiry, who are already probing alleged irregularities in a separate vaccine contract, said they would summon witnesses regarding the fresh accusations.

The head of the government coalition in the lower house of Congress, lawmaker Ricardo Barros, who was cited by Folha as having suggested Dias for his post in January 2019, denied he had done so.

"He was not my choice," Barros, a former health minister and power broker in the centrist bloc that has shielded&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;from calls for impeachment, wrote on social media.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro fired a health official on Wednesday after he reportedly asked for a bribe in a coronavirus vaccine deal, the latest graft accusation to rock the government and spark fresh calls for the president's impeachment.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro fired a health official on Wednesday after he reportedly asked for a bribe in a coronavirus vaccine deal, the latest graft accusation to rock the government and spark fresh calls for the president's impeachment. With over half a million COVID-19 deaths, Brazilians are fuming over missed opportunities to buy vaccines. A Senate probe has unearthed alleged corruption, with health ministry insiders and pro-Bolsonaro lawmakers allegedly seeking to fast-track and overpay for an Indian vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech. On Wednesday, when Brazil recorded 2,081 new COVID-19 deaths, federal prosecutors and the federal police launched a criminal probe into the Indian vaccine deal, according to a document seen by Reuters. The scandal has triggered fresh calls for impeachment against Bolsonaro, a divisive right-winger, who has underplayed the severity of the pandemic, railed against lockdowns, pushed unproven remedies, and sowed vaccine doubts. On Wednesday, lawmakers from across the political spectrum, social groups and lawyers filed a collective impeachment request, the latest in over 100 similar filings that have gone unheeded by the speaker of the lower house of Congress. Bolsonaro and Bharat have denied any wrongdoing. On Wednesday, he came out swinging against the Senate probe. "They can't touch us," he said in televised comments during a visit to the city of Ponta Pora on the Paraguayan border. "It won't be with lies ... that they will get us out of here." He did not comment on the dismissal of the official, Health Ministry logistics chief Roberto Ferreira Dias, formalized in Wednesday's official gazette, or the allegations against him. On Tuesday, Brazil suspended the Indian vaccine contract, worth 1.6 billion reais ($321 million). On Wednesday, the country's health regulator suspended its emergency use application, citing incomplete paperwork provided by the intermediary selling the shot. Newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported late on Tuesday that Dias had suggested a bribe of one dollar per dose at a dinner to discuss a different order of 400 million vaccines, citing a representative from a medical supply company. The health ministry said the dismissal of Dias was decided on Tuesday morning, but did not address the allegations. Dias could not be reached immediately for comment. Leaders of the Senate inquiry, who are already probing alleged irregularities in a separate vaccine contract, said they would summon witnesses regarding the fresh accusations. The head of the government coalition in the lower house of Congress, lawmaker Ricardo Barros, who was cited by Folha as having suggested Dias for his post in January 2019, denied he had done so. "He was not my choice," Barros, a former health minister and power broker in the centrist bloc that has shielded Bolsonaro from calls for impeachment, wrote on social media.

As calls grow for his impeachment, Bolsonaro fires official over graft claims

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Bolsonaro's son says 'leaving the country not an option' but applies for Italian citizenship

As calls grow for his impeachment, Bolsonaro fires official over graft claims