Bolsonaro ready for orderly transfer of power How PSG went from football club to lifestyle brand

After his defeat in the presidential election, Brazilian head of state Jair Bolsonaro met with the advisers of the victor Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Vice President-elect Geraldo Alckmin, who heads Lula’s transition team, described Thursday’s talks with Bolsonaro as positive. The outgoing president has promised to “give us all the information and support we need to ensure a smooth transition.”

The process of transferring power had begun, Alckmin had said shortly before. The change of presidency is scheduled for 1 January.

The left-wing Lula narrowly won the presidential election against Bolsonaro on Sunday. Lula got 50.9 percent of the vote in the second round, Bolsonaro got 49.1 percent. It is the closest presidential election result in Brazil’s recent history.

Bolsonaro initially did not comment on his election defeat. Only Tuesday did the right-wing extremist indicate his willingness for a peaceful transfer of power to Lula, without explicitly admitting his defeat.

Bolsonaro supporters have set up roadblocks in various locations around the country to protest Lula’s election victory. Tens of thousands of his supporters called on the military to intervene.

Bolsonaro on Wednesday called on his supporters to lift the roadblocks. Other protests in other places are welcome as they are part of the democratic game, he added. (sda/afp)