BRAZIL: The political Center seeks an unlikely united front
The announcement by TV presenter Luciano Huck on 16 June that he will not run for president in October 2022 prompted an immediate reaction from the political Center. Huck, who had toyed with the idea since before the last elections, was seen as one of the several potential conten… Become a member to read […]
BRAZIL: Military challenged into supporting Bolsonaro’s autocratic reveries
Amid rising rejection towards his government and strong support for a presidential candidacy by former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President Jair Bolsonaro seems to have doubled down on his die-hard, social media-driven constituency. According to the polls, rejection of … Become a member to read the rest of this article
BRAZIL: Bolsonaro’s weakness explains green “conversion”
The Senate inquiry (CPI) into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to harm President Jair Bolsonaro and his government. Polls already show for the first time a greater number of voters favoring an impeachment than opposing it (49-46%). Congress will not focus on impeac… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
BRAZIL: Bolsonaro’s weakness explains green “conversion”
Speaking at the Climate Summit organized by US President Joe Biden on 22 April, President Jair Bolsonaro read the prompter and said virtually all that his new foreign ministry had put on paper for him to read. That was already a major feat. It showed that the pressure exerted by … Become a member […]
BRAZIL: Congress and the Supreme Court raise the accountability bar
Both Congress and the Supreme Court moved to demand greater accountability from the Bolsonaro government on the handling of the pandemic. The Big Center is not satisfied with how the government has been reciprocating its support. The worsening of the pandemic is likely … Become a member to read the rest of this article
BRAZIL: Feel-good yes-men reshuffle overshadowed by Big Center move
President Jair Bolsonaro reshuffled six ministers in his government but not much should change in terms of policy. The Big Center was the main winner of the reshuffle. The pandemic will pose the biggest challenge to the new construct. The ministerial reshuffle on 29 … Become a member to read the rest of this […]
BRAZIL: Presidential photo-op will not suffice to appease political leaders
President Jair Bolsonaro did not restrain his anger when speaking on the subject of the pandemic following the episode of the change at the helm of the health ministry. Since then, he has in fact filed a case at the Supreme Court (STF) against governors that implement curfews to … Become a member to […]
BRAZIL: Bolsonaro still in denial as pandemic reaches its worst moment
Brazil has reached Covid-19 global epicenter status, but it is unlikely that President Jair Bolsonaro will change his denialist rhetoric on the importance of mask-wearing, social isolation, or lockdowns. It was hoped that following the re-emergence of former president Luiz Inacio… Become a member to read the rest of this article
BRAZIL: Lula’s return is a threat to both Bolsonaro and centrists
The Supreme Court decision to annul all cases against former President Lula could turn him into the strongest presidential candidate in 2022. The rapporteur of Lava-Jato in the Supreme Court attempted to preserve the operation by limiting the scope of his decision to jur… Become a member to read the rest of this article
BRAZIL: Pragmatism threatened by Petrobras turmoil, but quickly restored
President Jair Bolsonaro will talk the talk on ideological platforms but reelection in 2022 calls for pragmatism. There is increasingly little room for far-right policymaking. Stress with the arrest of a Bolsonarista congressman shows the limits of Bolsonaro’s capaci… Become a member to read the rest of this article