Not surprisingly, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro used his official address on the bicentennial of the country’s independence, this morning in Brasilia, to demand a vote for his re-election. Throughout the day, the head of state will speak two more times to his supporters in Rio de Janeiro and remotely in Sao Paulo.
The ceremony of protocol, the most important holiday in the Brazilian political calendar, this year with the symbolic addition of celebrating 200 years of independence, was marked by Bolsonaro’s use as a tool to make campaign for re-election.
“The will of the people will be present on October 2, let us all vote, let us convince these people who think differently than us, let us convince them of what is best for our Brazil,” Bolsonaro said in a speech in the center of the park. . From the ministries, which had just received the traditional military parade. During the ceremony, he was joined by the Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who, like other Portuguese-speaking heads of state, was invited to the ceremony. However, the Brazilian press highlighted the absence of representatives from other powers, such as the Congress or the Federal Supreme Court, one of the favorite targets of Bolsonaro and his supporters.
In the speech’s most unusual moments, Bolsonaro tried to praise his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, whom he called a “princess,” comparing her to other first ladies, though none in particular was mentioned. We can make many comparisons [entre candidatos]Even among the first ladies. Next to me, a divine, family, and active woman in my life, Bolsonaro said.
He added, “I was talking to single men: Find a woman, a princess, marry her, so that you may be happier.” Then Bolsonaro kissed the first lady and began to chant the word “Imbroxable.” [termo calão para designar um homem sexualmente viril] To be repeated by its proponents.
Michelle Bolsonaro also addressed the thousands of people who filled the stands in the Brazilian capital to defend, like her husband, her re-election. “We are not here for strength, let alone prestige: we are here to fulfill a call,” he said, emphasizing that “the enemy will not win.”
Senator Simon Tibbett, the presidential candidate, has sharply criticized Bolsonaro’s words, accusing her of showing “contempt for women,” and said she feels “ashamed.”
Hours earlier, Bolsonaro had already made some statements in Palacio da Alvorada in which he referred to several moments of political crisis, including the imposition of a military dictatorship in 1964, or Isolation Written by Dilma Rousseff, in 2016, to say that “history can repeat itself.” No mention of Wednesday’s event was excluded from the president’s interventions.
Bolsonaro’s position was heavily criticized by his political opponents, who accused him of exploiting the protocol celebrations of Brazil’s Independence Day. Former President Lula da Silva, who is leading the polls for the elections, is not taking part in any of the actions planned for Wednesday, but said on Twitter that today should be a day of “love and unity for Brazil”. “Unfortunately, that is not what is happening today. I have faith that Brazil will restore its flag, sovereignty and democracy,” without mentioning Bolsonaro.
After the official speech in Brasilia, Bolsonaro will head to Rio de Janeiro, where a massive demonstration promoted by his supporters is scheduled. With opinion polls showing a tough road ahead for his re-election in next month’s election, the president has been trying to raise doubts about the integrity of the electoral process.
His critics see promoting this narrative as a justification for Bolsonaro to reject the results of the presidential election, creating enormous political uncertainty.
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