Bolsonarismo shows pride, strength and support for the leader in the streets after a low-profile year. The former president of Brazil, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, 68 years old, gathered thousands of his followers this Sunday in Sao Paulo in a large demonstration called in response to the accusation of having planned a coup d’état together with several generals who were ministers. He was supported by several allied governors and dozens of lawmakers. Three days after remaining silent when questioned by police about the alleged plot, Bolsonaro sought a mass photo op to counter what he sees as judicial persecution. The Supreme Court has eight open cases against the Brazilian opposition leader, who retains considerable political capital, even though he is banned until 2030 for abuse of power. “This is all a conspiracy, we live in a veiled dictatorship,” said Claudia, a 64-year-old educational psychologist.
“Lula, thief, your place is prison,” those present, including families with children, enthusiastically sang. T-shirts with slogans such as “proud patriot” or “God, country, family and freedom” are also back. Following Bolsonaro’s instructions, there was not a single slogan against the Supreme Court judges, just in case, as it has multiple judicial fronts open. There are so many of them that speculation about the possibility that he will be imprisoned is very lively. “We don’t know. Anything can happen, but he is innocent,” underlines Mónica, a 39-year-old receptionist.
This is the ultra’s first major political act since it narrowly lost the 2022 elections to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and since thousands of its followers carried out the most serious attack against Brazilian democracy since the end of the dictatorship. Even if he will not be able to run in the next two elections, Bolsonaro is not throwing in the towel. After months of low profile, dedicated to responding to the multiple accusations he faces, he returns to the ring because he fears going to prison and in October there are municipal elections which also mark the halfway point of Lula’s mandate.
Bolsonaro called this demonstration on Avenida Paulista a few days after the police showed up at his summer home, confiscated his passport and the judge banned him from traveling abroad. He broadcast a video in which, wearing the football team shirt, he encouraged his followers to accompany him. “It will be a peaceful act in defense of our democratic rule of law (…), I want to defend myself from all these accusations,” he explained, as well as asking them two things: “Do not show up with any kind of banner against whoever it is.” and who wear green and yellow, the colors of the national flag, which have been part of their heritage. He also clarified that the important thing is the photo, not the speeches.
Bolsonaro and his team are terrified at the idea that, as usual in every Bolsonaro appeal, banners, slogans or threats will appear against the Supreme Court or judge Alexandre de Moraes – the bête noire of Bolsonaroism or the savior of democracy, depending on depending on who you ask. – And he can open new judicial fronts. Therefore the invitation to maximum verbal moderation.
More and more cornered
Bolsonaro, who has at times said he would rather die than go to prison, is increasingly cornered by justice and police investigations. The fence also tightens around his family and his political circle. The eight cases investigated by the Supreme Court cover a bit of everything: spread of false news, possession of precious jewels given away by the State or mismanagement of Covid-19. His son Carlos, a city councilor, is investigated in an illegal espionage plot against political opponents of the clan.
On Saturday he sent another son, Eduardo, a congressman, to Washington to represent him at the great Conservative Political Action Conference, in Washington. Donald Trump, who a few hours later won the South Carolina primary and is seeking the nomination, Javier Milei, Nayib Bukele, Santiago Abascal and Bolsonaro Jr. have reactivated their alliance.
The Brazilian federal police accuse the former president of having organized, together with around twenty military collaborators, active and in the reserve, as well as civilians, an attempted coup d’état. Investigators have amassed evidence and clues thanks to the confession of Bolsonaro’s personal secretary, who served as a liaison in many of the efforts.
According to the accusation, before and after the elections, while thousands of Bolsonaro supporters mobilized demanding military intervention, the then president proposed to the leaders of the Armed Forces to participate in a constitutional rupture. Several lawyers drafted a decree to give it an appearance of legality, but the goal was a coup: to annul the election result and prevent Lula from taking a third term which he clearly won at the polls in 2022.
This Sunday’s event was organized and paid for by evangelical pastor Silas Malafaia, who officiated at Bolsonaro’s third wedding and remains one of his most unconditional followers. After a prayer recited by Michelle Bolsonaro, former first lady and fervent evangelical, the speeches would arrive. Among these, that of the most powerful governor in Brazil and potential successor to Bolsonaro as leader of the right: Tarcísio de Freitas, governor of rich Sao Paulo, retired soldier and less ultra than his political godfather.
Paulista Avenue is the scene where Bolsonaro most publicly and explicitly attacked the Supreme Court and Judge Moraes. Three years ago, at an Independence Day event, the then president gave a fiery speech in which he insulted the magistrate as a scoundrel and announced that he would disobey his orders. Days later he staged a public act of contrition.
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