11/02/2022 14:55 (act 11/02/2022 14:55)
Bolsonaro supporters in roadblock ©APA/AFP
Three days after the elections in Brazil, Vice President Hamilton Mourão admitted the defeat of President Jair Bolsonaro. “It’s no use whining anymore, we lost the game. There’s nothing to complain about,” said the former general in an interview with the newspaper “O Globo” published this Wednesday. He does not believe there was fraud in the election.
Brazil’s right-wing head of state Bolsonaro was narrowly defeated by his leftist opponent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the second round of the presidential election on Sunday. In his first public address since Tuesday’s election, he neither admitted defeat nor congratulated Lula on his victory. Instead, he has once again cast doubt on the electoral system and expressed sympathy for his supporters, who block highways across the country in protest of Lula’s electoral victory.
Supporters of the deposed Brazilian president still occupy numerous highways in the South American country. The Highway Patrol recorded 167 roadblocks in different regions of Brazil this Wednesday, according to TV station Globo. According to their own statements, the police have already lifted 563 roadblocks. Bolsonaro supporters do not want to accept the electoral victory of their challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
In his first public statement after his electoral defeat, Bolsonaro expressed sympathy for the protests on Tuesday. “The current demonstrations are the result of indignation and a feeling of injustice at the way in which the electoral process was conducted”, said the right-wing leader. He had already cast doubt on the electoral system itself. However, he never presented any evidence of this.
Main roads are essential for supplying the country, as most goods in Brazil are transported by truck. The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) warned of bottlenecks in supply and fuel shortages if the lockdowns lasted longer. According to the Association of Supermarkets, there are already delivery problems in some states, especially for fruits, vegetables and meats.
After the polarization of the second round, the country’s Conference of Catholic Bishops called for efforts to promote reconciliation in the country. According to Kathpress, reconciliation is “essential” for the times ahead, according to a statement from the presidency of the Episcopal Conference. “The exercise of citizenship does not end with the end of the electoral process”, says the letter signed by the president of the Episcopal Conference and Archbishop of Belo Horizonte, Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo.