Brazilian vice president admits Bolsonaro’s election defeat

“It’s no use whining anymore, we have lost the game. There is nothing to complain about,” said the former general in an interview published Wednesday with the newspaper “O Globo”. He did not believe that fraud had been committed in the elections. Bolsonaro’s key allies, including powerful parliament speaker Artur Lira, had previously admitted his defeat.

Brazil’s right-wing head of state was narrowly defeated on Sunday by his left-wing challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the second round of the presidency. Ex-president Lula got 50.9 percent of the vote, Bolsonaro got 49.1 percent. In his first public statement since Tuesday’s election, he neither admitted his defeat nor congratulated Lula on the victory. Instead, he once again questioned the electoral system and expressed his condolences to his supporters who are blocking countless highways across the country in protest of Lula’s election victory.

Roadblocks by Bolsonaro supporters

Highway police registered 167 roadblocks in different regions of Brazil on Wednesday, Globo television station reported. According to their own statements, the police have already lifted 563 blockades. “The current demonstrations are the result of outrage and a sense of injustice at the way the electoral process has gone,” Bolsonaro said. He had previously sowed doubts about the electoral system. However, he never provided any proof of that.

Major roads are essential for supplying the country, as most goods in Brazil are transported by truck. The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) warned of supply bottlenecks and fuel shortages if the blockades lasted longer. According to the Association of Supermarkets, there are already supply problems in some states, especially for vegetables, fruits and meat.

Although Bolsonaro does not explicitly admit his defeat, he apparently does not want to stand in the way of the change of government. “President Jair Bolsonaro has authorized us by law to initiate the process of change of government,” said Ciro Nogueira, chief of cabinet.

Transition process starts

In any case, the transfer of power is regulated by law and approval by the outgoing government is not required. Vice President Mourão said he was “almost certain” Bolsonaro would attend Lula’s inauguration and hand over the presidential sash to his successor.

The judiciary of Latin America’s largest country took this as an admission of defeat. “The judges reiterate the official statement emphasizing the importance of the recognition by the President of the Republic of the final election result with determination to start the transition process,” the Supreme Court said in a statement after meeting Bolsonaro. “He said it was over. So let’s look ahead,” judge Luiz Edson Fachin said of Globo.

The president of the Supreme Court, Alexandre de Moraes, had already informed both Lula and Bolsonaro of the results by telephone on election night. “The result was announced and accepted,” Moraes said. The Inter-American Union of Electoral Authorities observer mission called the election free, fair and transparent and found no evidence of manipulation.

At working level, channels have already been laid for the preparation of the change of power. According to media reports, Cabinet Secretary Nogueira has already spoken with Lula’s head of communications, Edinho Silva. In addition, Lula’s future vice president Geraldo Alckmin called Bolsonaro’s deputy Hamilton Mourão. Lula is expected to take office on January 1, 2023.

(SDA)