Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro remains silent after his presidential defeat

As Brazil anxiously awaited the head of state’s admission of defeat, Bolsonaro truck drivers closed highways in at least 16 states, saying they did not accept The election of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In Brasilia, security has been reinforced precautionary Near the Place des Trois Pouvoirs, which houses the presidential palace, the Supreme Court and Parliament, in anticipation of the possible arrival of pro-Bolsonaro protesters.

After losing on Sunday by a narrow margin (50.9% versus 49.1%), the current head of state – until the transfer of power on January 1 – isolated himself at his official residence in Alvorada, in Brasilia.

On Monday morning, he went to the Planalto Palace, the presidential residence, and then returned in the afternoon to his residence, without making the slightest statement, a photographer from the embassy indicated.France Press agency.

That heavy silence, that Lola said Worry And on Sunday evening, many Brazilians reported that Jair Bolsonaro had repeatedly threatened not to recognize the ballot box ruling if he lost.

I had already anticipated the difficulties, and on Sunday Lula had hoped for it the government [sortant] be civil and understand thatIt is necessary to make a good transfer of power.

This climate of uncertainty was reflected in the volatility of the São Paulo Stock Exchange, the first financial center in Latin America, which closed after opening in the red, up 1.36%, after several differences during the session.

Road blockage

Bolsonaro He was taken from his throne by force, and we will restore him to power by the force that is ours, us, the group of truckers.said toFrance Press agency Izekias, a 40-year-old truck driver who just wanted his first name to be mentioned.

On Monday, he participated in the cutting of the highway between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the economic capital, in Barra Mansa, in the southeast of the country, without it being possible to know whether the movement was spontaneous or coordinated.

Announced the installation of a barrage of burning tires or vehicles on the roads in Mato Grosso, mid-west of the country Franchise Rota Oestea highway director in this agricultural state that voted for Bolsonaro, as well as the roads of Paraná and Santa Catarina, Bolsonarist strongholds in the south of the country.

While the risks of short-term protests are high, the risks of a serious institutional crisis are very low.However, Eurasia Group consultants estimated.

Amazon Protection

Lula’s victory was welcomed all over the world Through a torrent of letters from foreign leaders, from Washington, London, Paris, Beijing, Moscow, New Delhi and Buenos Aires, to the European Commission, many of them expressed impatience to renew strong and fruitful relations with Brasilia, after four years of diplomatic isolation under Jair Bolsonaro.

The president-elect also received in Sao Paulo the visit of Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, the old ally who promised Working together to strengthen relationships Between the two countries.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez is a longtime ally of President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Photo: Associated Press/Andrei Beiner

Lula also spoke by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Schulz.

Several leaders took the opportunity to remind Lula how much protecting the Amazon, where deforestation has broken records since 2019, has been a priority for the planet’s future.

Norway, the main financier for the protection of the world’s largest tropical forest, has announced that it has suspended its funding since 2019.

Brazil is ready to regain its leadership in the fight against the climate crisis […]. Brazil and the planet need a living AmazonLula was launched Sunday evening in his victory speech.

Lula’s government will have to return resources to organizations that monitor deforestation in the Amazon, severely weakened by cuts to credit, dismemberment, and total impunity for all kinds of smugglers.