Keystone-SDA
Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, threatened with prison for alleged coup attempt, said he was ready on Sunday in São Paulo before his supporters to “change the fate of Brazil”. Only a few thousand activists had come to support him.
(Keystone-ATS) “Those who accuse me can have a lot of assets in their game, but I have three things that they do not have on my side: God, freedom and the support of a good part of the Brazilian population,” he chanted in front of his sympathizers dressed in yellow and green on the emblematic avenue Paulista.
Several demonstrations have been organized since the start of Jair Bolsonaro’s judicial setbacks. The crowds have grieved in recent months.
According to the calculations of researchers from the University of São Paulo around 12,400 people participated Sunday in the procession on avenue Paulista, against 45,000 in April and 185,000 in February.
Ineligible until 2030 for his attacks without evidence on the electronic ballot boxes used in Brazil, the former president (2019-2022) spoke of next year’s general elections, in particular emphasizing the legislative elections.
Legislative elections of 2026
“Give me 50% of deputies and senators and I change the fate of Brazil,” he said, dressed in a blue tracksuit jacket on a pale yellow polo shirt.
But this time, Mr. Bolsonaro, 70, did not explicitly appear as the candidate of the conservative camp for the 2026 presidential election, unlike other occasions, when he said he was convinced that he managed to have his ineligibility canceled.
During the demonstration on Sunday, Jair Bolsonaro received supported support from one of his most powerful allies, the governor of São Paulo Tarcisio de Freitas, who described him as a “biggest leader in history” in the country.
“He will still make a difference and contribute a lot to Brazil,” said this former minister, expected as a powerful presidential in the absence of Mr. Bolsonaro.
Accused of being the “leader of a criminal organization” who conspired for his continuation in power after the presidential election of October 2022, won by Lula, Mr. Bolsonaro faces up to 40 years in prison. He says he is a victim of a “political persecution” aimed at preventing him from presenting himself to the presidential election next year.
On the left, President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, whose popularity is at half mast, has still not announced whether or not he would seek a new mandate.
