Bolsonaro presents himself as a ‘victim of democracy’ after being disqualified for ‘abuse of power’

On Friday, hours after confirming the long-awaited decision, Bolsonaro cited his physical and political wounds. Recently, I had a stab in the stomach. And today I was stabbed in the back with disqualification for allegedly misusing political power,” the former president said when meeting with the press at a restaurant in Belo Horizonte, in the state of Minas Gerais, like the city of Juiz de Fora, the site of the attack he suffered in 2018.

In an interview with Radio Itatiaia, from Minas Gerais, on Friday, Bolsonaro said he will appeal to the Supreme Court the decision of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), which disqualified him with 5 votes in favor and two against.. This measure is valid as of the presidential election for 2022, when the former president was defeated by PT member Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. In other words, the far right will not be able to contest the municipal or general elections of 2024, 2026, 2028 and 2030.

Bolsonaro was found guilty by the Supreme Electoral Court of abuse of political power and improper use of the media during a meeting with ambassadors in July 2022, broadcast on public television and during the election campaign. Tried in the same action, the former vice-presidential candidate Walter Braga Neto He was unanimously acquitted.

Politically illiterate

Bolsonaro also suggested that the Supreme Electoral Court acted against his re-election in 2022. “We follow the way the Supreme Electoral Court acted in the elections, forbidding me even to make (broadcast) live in my house (Alvorada presidential residence). The former president continued his speech with an invitation « The political illiterates” who say that Bolsonaro’s attack on the headquarters of the three countries on January 8 was a coup attempt. The results came out in the end and I protected myself, […] I left Brazil on the 30th, and unfortunately it happened on the 8th of January,” he said.

Whoever talks about a coup does not know what a coup is. With all due respect, he’s politically illiterate. No one will beat the old men and women with the Brazilian flag on their backs and the Bible under their arms. Bolsonaro said although we regret the looting of public property that took place and those who did it must take responsibility.

At the end, he was asked if he was afraid of being arrested after the outcome of the trial, which suspended him until 2030. “Arrest for what? Write the reason! He replied, “This is what we lack.” Thursday’s ruling is not criminal, as Bolsonaro does not risk imprisonment over the case.

supports

The former president was supported by his religious followers, such as his lawyer Fabio Wagarten, who described him as a “victim” of democracy. He was also defended by the former Vice President, Gen. Hamilton Mourao. “Thus, electoral justice in Brazil is characterized by the fact that it contains the popular will,” he wrote on Twitter.

Bolsonaro has also received support from his wife Michelle Bolsonaro, one of the likely candidates to succeed him, along with his three eldest sons, Flavio, Eduardo and Carlos, who are also involved in politics.

“I am at your service, Captain,” Michel wrote on social networks. With Bolsonaro’s photos, he highlighted a Bible verse about injustice. “Because whoever does an injustice will receive compensation for the injustice committed. And in this there is no exception for anyone. Colossians 3:5.”

On Friday, Bolsonaro stressed that his political capital will continue to be important in the future of Brazilian politics.