Brazil: Bolsonaro attacks the mayor of São Paulo

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday asked entrepreneurs to "strike hard" against Governor Joao Doria, who advocates containment against the coronavirus in his state of São Paulo, the country's economic engine. For Bolsonaro, firmly opposed to confinement while the pandemic is accelerating in Brazil, it is no less a question of waging a "war" whose stake is the largest economy in Latin America. "One (only) man decides the future of São Paulo, decides the future of the Brazilian economy , " said Bolsonaro during a videoconference with business owners. “The question is serious, it is war. Brazil is at stake. ”

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The governor imposed partial containment (closure of non-essential businesses, etc.) at the end of March on his 46 million citizens, whom he extended until May 31. He now envisages a much stricter containment in this State which is by far the first focus of the country with more than 54,000 confirmed cases (27% of the total) and 4,315 deaths (30%). Joao Doria and a dozen other governors announced on Wednesday that hairdressing salons, beauty salons and gymnasiums would not reopen, despite the presidential decree that added them to a list of "essential activities" to be maintained despite the pandemic.

" Once again, President Bolsonaro stops defending the health of Brazilians to attack those who work to defend lives," wrote Joao Doria on Twitter. “He prefers to jet ski, practice shooting or have barbecues. Meanwhile thousands of Brazilians are dying. ” Governors and mayors are free to decide on measures against the coronavirus in Brazil, much to the chagrin of Jair Bolsonaro, who calls on the population every day to return to work, when a severe recession is looming.

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