Deposed Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will not challenge his election defeat, a government official said. Communications Minister Fabio Faria told Reuters news agency on Tuesday that Bolsonaro will make this known in an official statement later in the day. Shortly before his speech, Bolsonaro will meet with Supreme Court justices.
After his defeat in the presidential elections in Brazil, head of state Bolsonaro went into hiding. On Tuesday, the incumbent president had neither appeared in public nor commented on the narrow election victory of his challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. According to media reports, several ministers and advisers had tried to persuade him to admit defeat the day before.
Lula narrow election winner
In the second round on Sunday, Lula received 50.9 percent of the vote, the right-wing incumbent 49.1 percent, according to the electoral bureau. Even before the vote, Bolsonaro had repeatedly expressed doubts about the electoral system and indicated that he might not recognize the result.
Over time, however, it became increasingly clear that Bolsonaro would hardly be successful if he questioned the result. Many of his allies, including powerful parliament speaker Artur Lira, have already acknowledged Bolsonaro’s defeat. Many governments abroad also saw the results of the elections as a fact: nearly 90 governments congratulated Lula on his election victory, reports the news portal UOL.
Congratulations from “Comrade”
Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández even traveled to the neighboring country on Monday to personally congratulate Lula. The two men met at a hotel in São Paulo and embraced, according to a video Fernández posted on Twitter on Monday. “All my love, admiration and respect, dear comrade,” wrote the Argentine head of state.
The president of the Supreme Court, Alexandre de Moraes, had already informed both Lula and Bolsonaro of the results by telephone on election night. “The result was announced and accepted,” Moraes said. Those elected would take office on January 1. The Inter-American Union of Electoral Authorities observer mission called the election free, fair and transparent and found no evidence of manipulation.
Bolsonaro supporters block roads
Although the feared violence by Bolsonaro supporters initially failed to materialize, truck drivers blocked hundreds of roads across the country to protest Lula’s election victory. President Moraes of the electoral court then ordered the police to lift the blockades and impose fines on those responsible.
While Bolsonaro was silent, at least his son Flavio responded on Twitter. “Thank you to everyone who helped us save patriotism, who prayed, took to the streets and worked up a sweat for the country. Let’s lift our heads and don’t give up our Brazil,” the senator wrote. “Dad, I stand behind you.’
Lula’s team prepares for a change of government
Lula’s team, meanwhile, was already preparing for a change of government without the help of the incumbent leader. “I hope normalcy will prevail in the interest of Brazil and the Brazilian people. If the president, if Jair Bolsonaro doesn’t want to be there, okay,” Lula’s Labor Party (PT) leader and campaign manager Gleisi Hoffmann told Globo News .
In any case, there were first contacts at work level. According to media reports, the head of communications for Lula’s election campaign, Edinho Silva, spoke with Bolsonaro’s chief of staff, Ciro Nogueira, on Monday. In addition, Lula’s future vice president Geraldo Alckmin called Bolsonaro’s deputy Hamilton Mourão. “The change of government is regulated by law. This will allow us to complete the transfer of power regardless of the president’s involvement,” said PT boss Hoffmann. Lula will take office on January 1, 2023.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
