published on 02.11.2022 03:55

(Credit: Evaristo Sa/AFP)

More than 44 hours after the end of the elections, President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) broke his silence on poll results that indicated his defeat by PT Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Under pressure from the allies, the head of the executive branch did not directly recognize the victory of the enemy, but authorized the beginning of a change of government.

Together with ministers at the Alvorada Palace, in a speech lasting just over two minutes, Bolsonaro thanked him for the more than 58 million votes he received in the second round and promised to uphold the Constitution.

The president disapproved of the roadblocks set up by truck drivers protesting the election results. He also took the opportunity to criticize the electoral system.

“The current popular movements are the result of outrage and a sense of injustice over the way the electoral process was handled,” he stressed. “Peaceful demonstrations will always be welcome, but our methods cannot be the methods of the left, which have always harmed the population, such as the invasion of property, the destruction of heritage, the restriction of the right to enter and exit our country.”

Bolsonaro also singled out the bench elected to Congress and the allies who won elections for the country. “Our strong congressional representation shows the strength of our values: God, country, family, and freedom. We have formed several leaders in Brazil. Our dreams are still alive like never before. We are for order and progress,” he stressed.

The chief executive also complained about the criticism he has received during his years in office. “Even in the face of the whole system, we are overcoming the pandemic and the consequences of the war. I have always been branded as a non-democrat, and, unlike my accusers, I have always played within the four lines of the Constitution, ”he assured. “I never said that I would control or censor the media and social media. As President of the Republic and citizen, I will continue to fulfill all the precepts of our Constitution.”

He still considered himself the main representative of the right in Brazil. “I am honored to be the leader of the millions of Brazilians who, like me, defend economic freedom, freedom of religion, freedom of opinion, honesty and the green and yellow colors of our flag,” he concluded.

Following the President’s announcement, the Chief Minister of the Civic Chamber, Ciro Nogueira (PP-PI), had to confirm that the President had authorized the change of government.

Expectation

There were high expectations for Bolsonaro’s statement, which remained silent after his electoral defeat. Yesterday the press was invited to enter Alvorada around 2:30 pm. At 4:37 pm, the president came down to speak. He was accompanied by vice-candidate on the list Braga Netto and ministers: in addition to Ciro Nogueira, Marcelo Queiroga (health), Paulo Guedes (economics), Victor Godoy (education), Paulo Sergio Nogueira (defense), Anderson Torres. (Justice), Marcelo Sampaio (Infrastructure), Joaquim Leite (Environment), Carlos França (Foreign Affairs), Celio Faria (Government Secretary), Luis Eduardo Ramos (General Secretary) and Christian Brito (Women, Family and Human Rights).

Gilson Machado (former minister of tourism), Flavio Augusto Viana Rocha (special secretary for strategic affairs), Elio Negao (federal deputy) and Joao Roma (former minister of citizenship), and Eduardo Bolsonaro (senator and son of the president).

The absence of First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro and her sons Flavio Bolsonaro and Carlos Bolsonaro was noted, along with Minister of Communications Fabio Faria, who was in Sao Paulo, and Vice President of the Republic Hamilton Murao, who indicated that he was not a guest.

In front of the pulpit and a few seconds before the start of the speech, Bolsonaro said to Ciro Nogueira: “They will miss us.” However, it is not clear whether the chief executive had in mind the press or the population.

At the end of the statement, Bolsonaro was applauded by members of the government and allies. When he left, reporters asked if he would call Lula or admit defeat outright. The chief executive continued to walk and did not answer. Shortly thereafter, he went to the Federal Supreme Court for a meeting with court ministers.