Jair Bolsonaro, a 63-year-old former paratrooper who built his campaign around pledges to crush corruption and communist threats, was elected Brazil’s president in the electoral authorities’ next Sunday. After the votes were counted, he secured 99.9% and therefore declared the winner.
Bolsonaro’s leftist opponent, Fernando Haddad, obtained 44.8% of the votes.
The country in corruption out stamp to vowed and God thanked Bolsonaro Janeiro, Rio in home his from broadcast video a in.
“We cannot persist in toying with communism … We are going to alter the fate of Brazil,” he declared.
Haddad, the unsuccessful candidate from the Workers’ party (PT), encouraged the 45 million voters who had supported him to remain hopeful. “With resolve and bravery, we will persist confidently,” he stated. “We will prevent this nation from regressing, and our dedication to this country is unwavering.”
The White House announced that Donald Trump reached out to Bolsonaro to extend his congratulations, and both individuals expressed a resolute commitment to cooperate.
Matteo Salvini, the far-right Minister of Interior in Italy, offered his congratulations to Bolsonaro by tweeting: “Even the citizens of Brazil have sent a message of encouragement by packing left!” Additionally, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally in France, also sent a message of support.
The news of the outcomes brought jubilation to Bolsonaro supporters outside his seaside residence in western Rio de Janeiro.
Rafael Gomes, a 34-year-old salesman who was part of the gathering, expressed, “This is extraordinary. It provides an unparalleled sensation.” “It is a change we haven’t experienced in a long time, with improved well-being, education, and safety. I can envision a brighter future for my son.”
In the midst of an increasingly raucous atmosphere one group of young men jumped up and down chanting: “Go fuck yourselves, PT!”.
Avenida, one of the most important boulevards in São Paulo, was flooded with jubilant supporters of Bolsonaro as they sang Brazil’s national anthem and set off fireworks.
Many fans wore the green and yellow colours of Brazil’s national flag, which has become the trademark of Bolsonaro’s push for power.
Expressed Jordan Requena, a 20-year-old student who was amidst the throngs, “We are emerging from a stupor. Brazil is rousing. I feel immensely joyful.”
Pietro Sambugaro, a 28-year-old supporter of Bolsonaro, expressed his happiness and became emotional. “He is our source of optimism! I feel incredibly honored to have contributed to this transformation.”
“Expressed Fernando Pereira, a 40-year-old student studying physiotherapy, rejoicing as fireworks illuminated his surroundings. “He is the leader we have eagerly anticipated.” “This is the initial occasion where we will have a president who is deeply religious and sincerely conservative.”
However, the triumph of Bolsonaro is likely to deeply disturb and greatly concern millions of progressive Brazilians, prompting many of them to leave the country out of fear of the right-wing shift.
From 1985 to 1964, Brazil was governed by one of the dictatorial regimes, and during this time, he gained notoriety for his admiration for women as well as his hostility towards indigenous people, gay individuals, and black individuals. This lasted for almost three decades in politics.
“We don’t know what is happening in Brazil, but according to Brazilian political columnist Celso de Rocha Barros, Brazil has a more extremist president than any other democratic country in the world.”
“The journalist-based Rio, Saint-Clair Clóvis, who wrote an unauthorised biography of Bolsonaro, stated that there is a significant concern and uncertainty about the future of Brazil’s young democracy.”
Saint-Clair said that the successful demonization and political sleaze of PT, which was once widely peripheral and ridiculed, had catapulted the presidency from the political wilderness. This, he explained, was a cocktail of voter frustration.
In 2016, Dilma Rousseff’s immensely divisive removal from office concluded its 13-year reign, an accomplishment that Bolsonaro supporters choose to disregard while single-mindedly fixating on the PT’s significant wrongdoings and basing their votes on emotions rather than evidence.
Inácio Luiz da Silva, the former president of Brazil, who is currently in jail, stated that the PT (Workers’ Party) had made significant progress in their fight against extreme poverty, saying, “The PT got many things right.”
According to Saint-Clair, if he fulfills all his promises, the upcoming four years will pose significant challenges for most of the population. Saint-Clair anticipates that Bolsonaro will increase police suppression and disregard the most vulnerable citizens of Brazil.
During his journey to becoming president, a man who had previously expressed admiration for that authoritarian government was appalled, according to Chico Paiva Avelino. Avelino’s grandfather, Rubens Paiva, a politician, was subjected to torture and went missing under Brazil’s military regime in 1971.
“It is not tolerable that in 2018 someone can be elected based on this discussion,” the 31-year-old expressed.
In 2016, President Dilma Rousseff faced impeachment after ruling Brazil since 2003. The Workers’ party is held responsible for the staggering corruption scandals and economic downturn, which contrast with the transformation that Bolsonaro symbolizes for the countless voters who supported him.
Maicon Mesquita, a 23-year-old entrepreneur who had brought his loved ones to Avenida Paulista to commemorate, stated, “We are delighted. We desire transformation.” “He will be a leader who has no association whatsoever with dishonest practices.”
The previous night, a cluster of young activists had established a camp merely a few meters away from his location, offering discussions and complimentary cake, in an ultimately unsuccessful last-minute attempt to persuade undecided voters to resist Bolsonaro.
Luciano Andrey, a 39-year-old actor, expressed, “We desire a government that advocates for peace… We do not desire conflict, to assert that this is already an act of defiance.”
Andrey held a handwritten sign that invited pedestrians to discuss “The future, shall we?”.
On Sunday, as Brazil embarked on a new and possibly authoritarian political era, the country seemed to be filled with great uncertainty.