BRAZIL

On September 7, in the context of the celebration of Independence Day, President Jair Bolsonaro promoted mobilizations in his favor throughout the country and gave a speech in which he questioned the actions of the Federal Supreme Court (FSC). He also promoted the use of paper voting in elections (which was recently rejected by Congress) and insinuated the possibility of carrying out a military intervention of the FSC “if necessary”. 

Although the President’s speech emphasized other points, it was interpreted by a sector of journalism and the opposition as an anti-democratic attitude. This situation could prompt an impeachment process against Bolsonaro.

The center of the president’s speech was the rejection towards the Federal Supreme Court, more specifically towards its president, Luiz Fux, and towards Alexandre de Moraes, the judge who conducts the investigation of threats and fake news targeting the FSC.  It is important to remember that Bolsonaro was included this year in that investigation, accused of spreading fake news on social networks against democratic institutions.

The president, in addition, is involved in another judicial process for his statements against the electronic voting system. In this regard, Bolsonaro promotes paper voting in elections. This process requires the approval of a law in Congress, but the Legislative Branch recently expressed itself against the paper voting mechanism.

It is worth noting that in 2022 presidential elections will be held and in the current scenario predicted by local pollsters, Bolsonaro could be the most voted candidate in those elections, but he would fail to prevail in the first round, losing against any opposition candidate who would make it to a runoff. These words of Bolsonaro (as well as the massive mobilizations) can be interpreted as a demonstration of strength and the launching of his electoral campaign.