Bolsonarism shows pride, strength and support for the leader on the street after a year of keeping a low profile. The former President of Brazil, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, 68, gathered thousands of his supporters this Sunday in São Paulo for a major event called in response to accusations that he, along with several generals who were ministers, were plotting a coup. He was supported by four Allied governors and dozens of parliamentarians. Three days after Bolsonaro remained silent about the alleged plot when questioned by police, he requested a mass photograph to counteract what he saw as legal persecution. The Supreme Court has eight cases pending against the leader of Brazil's opposition, who has significant political capital despite being disqualified until 2030 for abuse of power. “This is all a conspiracy, we live in a disguised dictatorship,” said Claudia, a 64-year-old educational psychologist.
“Lula, thief, your place is prison,” those present, including families with children, shouted enthusiastically. The “myth, myth, myth” dedicated to Bolsonaro, the flags of Israel and T-shirts with slogans such as “proud patriot” or “God, country, family and freedom” have also returned. Following Bolsonaro's instructions, there was not a single slogan against the Supreme Court judges as a precaution, as there are several open judicial fronts. There are so many that speculation about whether he will be imprisoned is very lively. “We do not know it. Anything can happen, but he is innocent,” emphasizes Mónica, a 39-year-old receptionist.
This is the Ultra's first major political act since he narrowly lost the 2022 elections to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and thousands of his supporters launched the worst attack on Brazilian democracy since the end of the dictatorship. Although he cannot run in the next two elections, Bolsonaro is not throwing in the towel. After months of quietly dealing with the numerous accusations, he returns to the ring, fearful of going to prison, and local elections are held in October, also marking the halfway point of Lula's term in office.
Standing on the roof of a bus, Bolsonaro defended himself by arguing that a coup was “tanks in the street, it's weapons, it's a conspiracy.” There was no such thing here!”, ignoring the fact that coups in the 21st century are carried out by distorting the laws. And immediately afterward, he referred to what researchers consider to be a draft coup decree. “Now it turns out that it is a blow because there is a design for a state of siege. Coup d'etat exploiting the constitution? Patience” .
Former President Jair Bolsonaro, with the jersey of the Brazilian national soccer team, during the rally on Sunday, February 25, 2024 in São Paulo.Andre Penner (AP)
Bolsonaro called for the demonstration on Avenida Paulista days after police showed up at his summer home, confiscated his passport and the judge banned him from traveling abroad. He published a video in which he, wearing the football team's jersey, asked his followers to accompany him. “It will be a peaceful act in defense of our democratic rule of law (…), I would like to defend myself against all these accusations,” he told them and asked them two things: “This.” They do not appear with any banner against anyone always” and they wear green and yellow, the colors of the national flag, which has become the heritage. He also made it clear that the photo was important, not the speeches. “This photo will go around the world,” he promised the crowd.
Those present followed the order of not a single banner, slogan or threat against the Supreme Court or Judge Alexandre de Moraes – the black beast of Bolsonarism or the savior of democracy, depending on who you ask.
More and more cornered
This Sunday's event was organized and financed by the evangelical priest Silas Malafaia, who officiated at Bolsonaro's third wedding and remains one of his most unconditional supporters. Before the speeches, Michelle Bolsonaro, former first lady and ardent evangelist, said a prayer and wept. Among the speakers was the governor of São Paulo, the most powerful in Brazil and potential successor to Bolsonaro as leader of the right. In his speech, Tarcísio de Freitas, a retired military man and less ultra than his political godfather, said: “We are here to celebrate the democratic rule of law and understand its challenges.”
Bolsonaro, who has sometimes proclaimed that he would rather die than go to prison, is increasingly finding himself in the corners of the judiciary and police investigations. The fence around his family and his political environment is also becoming increasingly tighter. The eight cases examined by the Supreme Court cover a little bit of everything: the spread of false news, the safekeeping of valuable jewels gifted by the state or the mismanagement of Covid-19. His son Carlos, a city councilor, is being investigated for an illegal espionage plot against the clan's political opponents.
He sent another son, Eduardo, a congressman, to Washington that Saturday to represent him at the big Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. Donald Trump, who hours later won the South Carolina primaries and is fighting for the nomination, Javier Milei, Nayib Bukele, Santiago Abascal and Bolsonaro Jr. reactivated their alliance.
The Brazilian federal police accuse the former president of having organized an attempted coup together with around twenty active and reserve military collaborators and civilians. Investigators have gathered evidence and leads thanks to the confession of Bolsonaro's personal secretary, who served as a liaison in many of the efforts.
Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro demonstrate in São Paulo this Sunday, February 25, 2024, to express their support for him. Andre Penner (AP)
According to the indictment, before and after the election, while thousands of Bolsonaro supporters were calling for military intervention, the then-president suggested that the armed forces leadership take part in violating the constitution. Several lawyers drafted a decree to give the appearance of legality, but the aim was a coup: annul the election results and prevent Lula from running for a third term, which he clearly won in the 2022 elections.
Avenida Paulista 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 judge, calling him a villain and announcing that he would not obey his orders. Days later, he staged a public act of contrition.
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