Bolsonaro’s uncompromising speech was entirely in keeping with his character
After two days of silence, President Jair Bolsonaro finally decided to speak. He had changed his mind to speak once already, and no one was sure if he would show up this time. After keeping the media and the nation waiting for nearly two hours, he delivered a short, flippant speech neither admitting defeat nor naming his successor and winner in the presidential contest, Lula da Silva. However, he said he would follow the constitution, and that means surrender. It was left to his chief of staff to confirm to the media and millions of Brazilians watching that the transition would begin when he was given the order to do so. Mr Bolsonaro praised the support of the tens of millions who voted for him and told them they could protest, as long as it was peaceful. There were fears that President Bolsonaro would do a “Donald Trump” and refuse to accept the election results. He has been saying for months now that the election will be rigged and that Brazil’s electronic voting system was not secure. He never provided any evidence for these claims. He didn’t exactly admit defeat, but indirectly indicated that he would deliver. President Bolsonaro is the first in Brazilian history not to win a second term. He also took the longest time of any sitting president to address the nation after the votes were counted. The focus now will be on his supporters and what they may – or may not – decide to do next. Mr Bolsonaro’s supporters are planning demonstrations across the country on Wednesday, a national holiday here in Brazil. Of course they are entitled to it, as the opposition has done for the last four years. The incumbent’s no-concession speech was perfectly in keeping with the character of the Jair Bolsonaro that so infuriated his opponents – and idolized his supporters. The official transition takes place on January 1, 2023, but it is unclear whether Bolsonaro will attend and deliver, in person, the presidential card that is the convention here.
