Bolsonaro speaks for the first time after Brazil's election: Will "respect the constitution" - no congratulations to Lula

Created: 2022-11-02 05:38

By: Bettina Menzel, Stephanie Munk, Fabian Müller

Brazil has elected a new president.

The right-wing incumbent Bolsonaro has finally spoken up after the lost runoff election.

News ticker.

• After

  Lula's election victory

  : Bolsonaro's close confidants already acknowledge Lula's election victory, the loser remains silent.

• Runoff election

  in

  Brazil

  : far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro loses to left-leaning Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

• Bolsonaro

  vs.

  Lula

  : How Brazil's role in the world could change with the outcome of the election.

• This ticker for the

  Brazil elections on Sunday

  (October 30) is continuously updated.

Update from November 1, 9:22 p.m .:

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wants to “respect” the constitution after his defeat in the presidential election.

Bolsonaro announced this on Tuesday at his first public appearance after the runoff election in front of journalists in the capital, Brasília, without explicitly admitting his defeat.

His chief of staff, Ciro Nogueira, said the president had "authorized" the transfer of office to election winner Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The incumbent's silence for two days after his defeat had fueled fears that he would not accept the outcome of the election.

Nationwide, Bolsonaro supporters protested against Lula's victory and set up roadblocks. Bolsonaro called on the demonstrators on Tuesday to refrain from violence.

The protests must be "peaceful," he warned.

Brazil's ousted President Jair Bolsonaro during an appearance on Tuesday.

© Ton Molina/imago-images

Bolsonaro apparently does not want to contest the result of the Brazilian election

Update from November 1, 7:02 p.m .:

According to his communications minister, Fabio Faria, Brazil’s deposed head of state, Jair Bolsonaro, does not want to contest last Sunday’s election.

This is reported

.

Faria announced that Bolsonaro himself would announce his decision in an official statement later in the day.

According to several media reports, numerous ministers and advisers had tried to persuade Bolsonaro to concede defeat in the presidential election.

Bolsonaro had repeatedly expressed doubts about the electoral system and indicated that he might not recognize defeat in the elections.

In a Twitter message, the outgoing president quoted a verse from the Bible and warned of "the devil's cunning attacks" - his only public statement so far after the election.

Brazil election: Lula wins by a razor-thin as Bolsonaro supporters block roads across the country

Update from November 1, 2:40 p.m

.: The protests against the newly elected Brazilian President Lula continue.

Supporters of far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro are setting up roadblocks in more and more places.

There are now more than 250 partial or full roadblocks in 23 of the 27 Brazilian states, as the Federal Traffic Police (PRF) announced on Tuesday morning (local time).

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"No to Lula!" Demonstrators chanted at a bridge in São Paulo.

Several roads were blocked there, including a large connecting road that leads to Rio de Janeiro.

Several flights have been canceled due to roadblocks around Guarulhos Airport in Sao Paulo, the country's largest international airport.

A particularly high number of roadblocks were reported from the southern state of Santa Catarina, where almost 70 percent of voters had voted for Bolsonaro.

Update from November 1, 8:29 a.m

.: Bolsonaro supporters have set up more than 200 roadblocks in Brazil in protest of Lula's election victory.

Many truck drivers were among the demonstrators, the Brazilian newspaper

reported, citing the police.

Miles of traffic jams ensued, severely hampering the movement of Brazilians ahead of the All Souls Day holiday on November 2nd.

The feared outbreaks of violence did not materialize.

However, according to 

, there were riots.

The President of the Supreme Electoral Court ordered the police to end the blockades.

Bolsonaro supporters blocked roads across much of Brazil, here in Palhoca.

© Anderson Coelho/AFP

Outcome of the Brazil election: No public reaction from Bolsonaro yet

Update from October 31, 7:45 p.m .:

Even more than twelve hours after the result of the Brazil runoff election was announced, Jair Bolsonaro has not yet commented on it - neither in a speech nor via one of the many online services that he otherwise likes and uses it frequently (as of 7:45 p.m.).

Bolsonaro received 49.1 percent of the votes, challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won with 50.9 percent.

For months, right-wing populist Bolsonaro, like former US President Donald Trump, had cast doubts on the reliability of the electoral system in Brazil.

Brazil election: Bolsonaro's close confidants already recognize Lula's election as president

Bolsonaro's silence fuels fears he might not recognize the election result.

His supporters are waiting for a reaction from him, truck drivers and demonstrators have blocked highways in at least twelve Brazilian states.

As reporters from the AFP news agency reported, Bolsonaro left his official residence on Monday morning without comment and drove to the presidential office.

Photos showed the incumbent president walking down an aisle with a grim face.

The consulting firm Eurasia Group downplayed the risk of Bolsonaro seizing power.

Although the "risk of short-term protests remains high", the danger of a "serious institutional crisis" is low.

Some of Bolsonaro's close associates have already recognized Lula's election victory, including the influential Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira.

In addition, numerous heads of state and government congratulated the election winner Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, including US President Joe Biden, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Lula already met with Alberto Fernandez, the President of Argentina, on Monday.

A spokesman for the court responsible for the election told CNN on Monday that the results of the election had already been declared valid.

According to the record, this will be formally confirmed at a later date in a court session.

Jair Bolsonaro arrives at the presidential palace the day after Brazil's runoff election.

© Evaristo Sa/AFP

Truck drivers and other demonstrators block several trunk roads after Bolsonaro's election defeat

Update from October 31, 3:25 p.m .:

After the election defeat of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, truck drivers and other demonstrators blocked several highways in the country.

The actions on Monday were apparently directed against the official count of the presidential election.

In the agricultural state of Mato Grosso, where Bolsonaro has strong support, several roads were blocked by trucks, other vehicles and burning tires, according to the company responsible for operating these roads.

According to the Brazilian media, there were blockades in a total of five states.

For example, protesters blocked a road between the metropolises of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

At first it was unclear whether the road blockades were organized centrally.

The Brazilian long-distance drivers are organized in a movement that is clearly behind Bolsonaro.

According to the official result, Lula got 50.9 percent of the vote in the runoff, while Bolsonaro got 49.1 percent.

The incumbent head of state has not yet commented on the outcome of the election.

This feeds speculation that Bolsonaro could not recognize the result and accuse him of election manipulation.

Meanwhile, photos showed Bolsonaro on Monday morning local time in the Alvorada Palace, presidential residence.

Update from October 31, 1:34 p.m .:

After the presidential election in Brazil, incumbent Jair Bolsonaro has not yet commented on his defeat.

People close to him tried to talk to Bolsonaro after his challenger Lula's narrow election victory, but he had already gone to sleep, the Brazilian news portal

reported in an article published on Monday morning (local time).

The information could not be verified.

Presidential elections in Brazil: truck drivers protest against Lula's election victory

Update from October 31, 12:55 p.m .:

A 27-year-old man was shot dead on Sunday evening during celebrations after the presidential election in Brazil.

Four other people were injured in the city of Belo Horizonte, local media reported, citing military police.

The fatality celebrated Lula's election victory in a bar.

There, both supporters of Lula and Bolsonaro followed the vote count.

It was initially unclear whether the act had a political background.

The drunk shooter was arrested.

In several states of the South American country, truck drivers protested against the ex-president's election victory.

This is reported by the

newspaper , citing the police.

Burning tires could be seen on videos on social networks.

Bolsonaro supporters with Brazilian flags called for the country's highways to be blocked, with some calling for military intervention.

Presidential election in Brazil: Winner Lula receives congratulations from all over the world

Update from October 31, 10:56 a.m .:

Incumbent Jair Bolsonaro has not yet commented on Lula’s election victory.

But congratulations come from all over the world.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) congratulated Lula and wrote on Twitter that he was looking forward to “close and trusting cooperation”, especially on trade and climate protection issues.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) said the election had one winner, but several winners - including Brazilian democracy and the world climate.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also congratulated the left-wing politician on his election.

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Twitter: "A new chapter in the history of Brazil is being opened." They want to renew the bond of friendship.

"I congratulate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on being elected the next president after free, fair and credible elections," said US President Joe Biden.

He looks forward to the cooperation between the USA and Brazil.

"I look forward to working with you on tackling pressing global challenges, from food security to trade to climate change," tweeted Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Council President Charles Michel named peace and stability, prosperity and climate change as areas of cooperation.

After victory in Brazil: Bolsonaro is silent on Lula's election victory

Update from October 31, 6.30 a.m .:

Lula wants to reconcile an extremely divided Brazil after his victory.

"I will govern for 215 million Brazilians," he said in his first post-election speech in São Paulo.

"There are no two Brazils, only one people." Now the moment has come to restore peace.

"I am here to govern this country in a very difficult situation." But he is confident that with the help of the people a way will be found so that this country can live democratically and harmoniously again.

Election winner Lula gives a speech to his supporters on Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo.

© CAIO GUATELLI/AFP

The incumbent Bolsonaro has not yet publicly reacted to the result, even on the online networks where he is usually very active.

All eyes are now on him - many Brazilians fear that Bolsonaro, like the ousted US President Donald Trump, will not accept an election defeat.

Lula also addressed Bolsonaro's silence in his speech.

"In any country in the world, the losing candidate would have called me to admit defeat," he told his supporters.

"He still hasn't called me.

I don't know if he's going to call or if he's going to admit it." He continued, "I'd like to just be happy, but I'm half happy, half worried."

Result of the election in Brazil: Lula wins by a small margin

Update from October 31, 5:28 a.m .:

The left-wing former head of state Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the presidential election in Brazil.

After counting almost all polling stations, the electoral authorities declared Lula the winner of the presidential election on Sunday with around 50.9 percent of the votes in the runoff.

Right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro received 49.1 percent of the vote - he has not yet admitted his defeat.

Lula now called for unity.

"The Brazilians don't want to fight anymore," said the 77-year-old in his victory speech.

"No one wants to live in a divided country that is in a state of constant war." Among other things, he addressed the hunger crisis that is affecting more than 33 million Brazilians.

"Today we tell the world that Brazil is back," Lula said, vowing to stop deforestation in the Amazon.

Update from October 30, 10:58 p.m .:

A head-to-head race is emerging between the two presidential candidates.

After counting a good 80 percent of the polling stations, Lula received 50.3 percent of the vote and Bolsonaro 49.7 percent.

Update from October 30, 9:36 p.m .:

In the presidential elections in Brazil, checkpoints set up by the traffic police caused unrest.

These are said to have made it difficult to get to the polling stations.

Buses with voters arrived at the polling stations with delays due to checks at roadblocks, according to the head of the Supreme Electoral Court, Alexandre de Moraes.

Vehicles were checked at the barriers for possible traffic violations.

People in Brazil queue in front of a polling station.

© Eraldo Peres/dpa

The controls took place primarily in the north-east of the country, where the left-wing opposition candidate Lula da Silva was able to count on particularly strong support.

Leaders of Lula's Labor Party (PT) circulated videos online of buses of voters standing still at checkpoints.

"What is happening in the Northeast is unacceptable," said ex-President Lula.

Chief Elections Supervisor Moraes later assured that none of the buses had been ordered by the police to turn around and go back to their place of origin.

The right to vote was not violated.

Moraes therefore also refused to extend the opening hours of the polling stations.

The newspaper "Folha de São Paulo" reported that there were more than 500 roadblocks in the country by the traffic police on Sunday afternoon.

This was 70 percent more than during the first round of the presidential election on October 2nd.

Update from October 30, 9:00 p.m .:

The presidential run-off election has ended in Brazil.

The polling stations closed at 9 p.m. German time on Sunday.

Results are expected later.

Bolsonaro votes in a yellow shirt and is confident of victory – "God willing"

Update from October 30, 2:39 p.m .:

Brazil’s incumbent head of state Jair Bolsonaro expressed the expectation of another election victory in the runoff election for the presidency this Sunday.

"The expectation is victory - for the good of Brazil," said the right-wing politician in Rio de Janeiro, where he cast his vote in a yellow Brazil T-shirt.

To do this, he made the victory sign.

“God willing, we shall be victorious today.

Or rather: Brazil will be victorious today.”

The left-wing ex-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the first round of elections four weeks ago - albeit with a smaller lead over Bolsonaro than the polls had expected.

Now the race is considered open.

For months, the election campaign was marked by serious mutual accusations and misinformation spread on the Internet.

Both candidates fought for every vote until the end.

Incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro voted Sunday morning in Marechal Hermes, north of Rio de Jaineiro.

© IMAGO/Carlos Elias Jr

"Trump of the Tropics": Jair Bolsonaro brings polemical topics into play in the TV duel

Update from October 30, 11:18 a.m .:

Erection problems and exorcism as topics in the fight for votes: In the last television duel before the runoff election for the presidency in Brazil, incumbent Jair Bolsonaro wanted to know private details from his challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

"Are you using Viagra?" Bolsonaro asked provocatively on Friday.

Lula didn't answer that.

The 77-year-old challenger had just asked Bolsonaro to explain the purchase of 35,000 Viagra pills for the army.

Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction and, as Bolsonaro pointed out when asked by Lula, for prostate problems.

Brazil election: Bolsonaro addresses exorcism in televised debate with Lula

It was Bolsonaro who brought up exorcism during the televised debate.

"Do I have to exorcise you so that you stop lying?" Bolsonaro asked his opponent.

Both candidates for the presidency in Brazil repeatedly accused each other of lying in the two-hour duel - the election campaign recently increasingly resembled a mud fight.

Jair Bolsonaro polarizes with his demagogic style of government and his rhetoric similar to his role model Donald Trump, which earned Brazil's incumbent president the nickname "Trump of the tropics".

Former US President Trump got involved in the election campaign in September and made clear his support for the far-right head of state Bolsonaro, who “had done great things for the wonderful Brazilian people,” Trump wrote on his online platform Truth Social at the time.

Brazil election: Result also affects environmental protection

Update from October 30, 9.45 a.m .:

On Sunday in Brazil it will be decided who will lead the country in the next four years: the right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro or his left challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The decision is seen as a choice of direction, because the two candidates represent extremely different styles of government and values.

However, the outcome of the election also had an impact on the rest of the world.

According to calculations by the state agricultural research agency Embrapa, Brazil produces food for 780 million people - almost a tenth of the world's population.

Especially soy, beef, coffee and sugar come from the South American country.

To put it simply, Lula is also expected to see increased environmental protection, whereas deforestation and fires in the Amazon rainforest increased significantly during Bolsonaro's tenure.

Bolsonaro vs. Lula: How Brazil's role in the world could change with the runoff

Geopolitically, too, the election could have a major impact on the country's course.

Because Bolsonaro had largely isolated Brazil on the world stage.

With his blockade on climate protection, his idiosyncratic corona policy and vulgar failures, he alienated many.

In addition, he hardly traveled abroad - even if he turned up in Moscow shortly before the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

A few years ago, Brazil was still an up-and-coming force internationally.

Under Lula, it was considered the opinion leader in the region, giving Latin America a voice in the emerging countries club Brics and the G20.

It was also an important provider of troops for UN peacekeeping missions.

However, troop levels and budgets have recently been reduced more and more.

Last year, Brazil was not involved in any UN mission for the first time since 2004.

Runoff election in Brazil on Sunday: Lula or Bolsonaro?

First report from October 29:

Brasilia – Lula or Bolsonaro – who will rule Brazil in the future?

On Sunday (October 30th) the 156 million eligible voters in the largest country in Latin America will decide this in a run-off election.

The run-off election is necessary because in the first ballot on October 2nd neither of the two candidates achieved more than 50 percent of the votes.

Challenger and ex-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva got 48 percent of the votes, incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro reached 43 percent.

Who Will Be President?

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (left) and Jair Bolsonaro in the TV duel for the runoff in Brazil.

© Marcelo Chello/AP/dpa

Runoff election in Brazil: According to forecasts, Lula is ahead of Bolsonaro

In current polls for Sunday's runoff, left-leaning Lula is just ahead of Bolsonaro.

Before the first round of voting, however, the election researchers were clearly wrong with their polls and predicted a much larger lead for Lula – possibly because many Brazilians do not want to commit themselves to the right-wing extremist Bolsonaro.

The political climate in Brazil is extremely polarized, and the election campaign is characterized by smear campaigns and aggressiveness.

Politically motivated acts of violence have already occurred several times in recent months.

False reports are being spread extensively on social media, and the country's Supreme Court has had to intervene several times.

Brazil's presidential election: Bolsonaro is considered a racist, Lula was in prison

The current President Jair Bolsonaro (67) has ruled Brazil since 2018. He is considered a racist who ignores the limits of political practice, who downplays the corona pandemic and is responsible for massive deforestation of the rainforest.

Nevertheless, the ex-military can count on broad support - especially on the part of farmers, evangelicals and the gun lobby.

The candidate of the left-wing Labor Party, Lula da Silva, was President of Brazil from 2003 to 2011.

In 2018 he was sentenced to a long prison term in an internationally controversial trial for corruption and money laundering and spent almost two years in prison.

Last year, a Supreme Court judge overturned the verdict – albeit only on formal grounds.

But there are also allegations of corruption against Bolsonaro.

For Germany it is not insignificant who wins the race on Sunday: The outcome of the election will have a decisive influence on questions of climate protection and new energy sources.