The former president wants to show strength in the investigation into the coup plot
Former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) invited supporters to a demonstration on Avenida Paulista, in the central region of São Paulo, on the afternoon of this Sunday, the 25th, and it seems that he received a response. The public began arriving in the morning with Brazilian flags and T-shirts, as well as messages of support for Israel: Last week, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) compared the conflict in the Gaza Strip to the Holocaust, sparking controversy.
With the cry of “I came for free”, Bolsonaro’s supporters try to dissociate themselves from the coup of January 8, when several businessmen and politicians were targeted by the Federal Police for having financed the destruction of the Três Poderes headquarters, in Brasilia (Federal District).
As we predicted, Bolsonaro has staked everything on this demonstration on Avenida Paulista as a show of strength and will manage to bring a crowd of supporters to the event. pic.twitter.com/e0NadBgnhe
— Guglielmo De Lucca (@delucca) February 25, 2024
The demonstration called by Bolsonaro will serve as proof of the strength of Bolsonarism after federal police investigations pointed to the former president as the mastermind behind the coup attempt. Bolsonaro is betting on a photo of a crowd in front of his platform to put pressure on the Federal Supreme Court (STF), harass the Palácio do Planalto and send messages that his eventual arrest will not be accepted without social upheaval.
This is a risky strategy, which could make your situation worse in court. The former president is not eligible for election until 2030 and is the subject of eight Court investigations: from fake news about electronic voting machines to coup attacks; from the sale of jewels from the Presidential collection to accusations of interference in the Federal Police.
Event organizers in Paulista expect 500,000 to 700,000 people to attend. Caravans of chartered buses from various regions of the country will depart from Friday.
In Planalto, assistants to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva estimate that the demonstration will be numerous and believe that it is essential to define, as quickly as possible, a series of actions to defeat Bolsonarism in this year’s controversies in the main capitals, such as São Paul. The movement is considered decisive in relaunching Lula’s re-election campaign in 2026.
STF ministers will not tolerate crimes
Although Bolsonaro says the protest will be peaceful, “in defense of the democratic rule of law”, his allies also fear the escalation of tempers and the tone of revenge in the streets. The STF ministers, in turn, say behind the scenes that all speeches will be examined and that no offense against the Court will go unpunished, without punishment.
Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro will open the political event with a prayer. Evangelical, Michelle will ask Brazil for protection, from the top of the car radio. Two electric trios will occupy Paulista.
According to the outlined script, the national anthem will be played and the only governor to speak will be Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), of São Paulo, possible heir of the former president in the 2026 Planalto elections. In addition to Tarcísio, the governors of Goiás, Ronaldo Caiado (União Brasil), of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello (PL), and of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema (Novo).
Supported by Bolsonaro in the campaign for a new mandate, the mayor of São Paulo, Ricardo Nunes (MDB), will also participate, although municipal secretaries and MDB leaders do not hide their concern about the link of his image to anti-democratic statements. The list of confirmed attendance also includes 106 federal deputies, 17 senators and more than 100 state deputies, mayors and councilors.
“It is a shame to see governors and mayors, who have institutional responsibilities, participate in a demonstration against democracy and legality. How much fear they must have of Bolsonaro, of the wrong things that only he should know, to obey the command of the ineligible”, he said. wrote MP Gleisi Hoffmann, president of the PT, on her profile on X (formerly Twitter). “Sunday’s act has nothing to do with the defense of the democratic rule of law. It is yet another threat from Bolsonaro to the institutions and an affront to Justice, for which he is about to be held responsible”, she added. .
The last speech of the day will be that of the former president, who sees the siege approaching on him and on the soldiers of his circle of friends, after the federal police investigations revealed their participation in the coup plot. Bolsonaro will talk about his government, will underline that he is suffering “incessant persecution” by the judiciary and, according to his interlocutors, will outline a dark future for the country under Lula’s command.
On September 7, 2021, Bolsonaro took advantage of an event celebrating Brazil’s independence, in Paulista, to call STF minister Alexandre de Moraes – rapporteur for the actions against him – a “scoundrel” and warn that he would no longer respect the his orders. If this tone were used now, with attacks on the Supreme Court, the former president could be arrested.
“Democracy is not peace in a cemetery,” says Caiado
“I don’t see an affront to democracy in the people on the street,” Caiado told Estadão. “Democracy is not peace in a cemetery. We do not approve of anything in the sense of aggression. If the former president can mobilize himself to explain himself, it is important that he does so.”
Caiado wants to be a presidential candidate in 2026 and wants Bolsonaro’s support, even though many see him as a toxic electoral leader. “There is no discomfort. My voter is and will always be conservative”, summed up the governor, who preaches the unity of the right.
Informed that the STF ministers will follow the protest speeches in Paulista, the deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante (PL-RJ), proved ready for confrontation. “Does this mean we live in a dictatorship?” he provoked.
An ally of pastor Silas Malafaia – one of the organizers of Sunday’s protest -, Sóstenes said that the “considerations” of those invited to use the microphone “should serve the magistrates to reflect and stop attacking” the democratic rule of law. **With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
