For the first time since the return of democracy in 1985, Brazilians have elected a far-right candidate as president of the republic. The former army captain, veteran congressman and authoritarian Jair Bolsonaro is Brazil’s version of a now-familiar global phenomenon: political leaders who win office by attacking liberal values, targeting minorities and channelling nostalgia for a time when the “fatherland” was great. Bolsonaro is the most radical of the new breed; he openly speaks in defence of dictatorship and torture, and the killing or banishment of his opponents. Not long ago Brazil was hailed as a rising power, with progressive governments. What happened? And what can we expect for our democracy?
It’s vital that we don’t stigmatise Bolsonaro’s supporters as crazy or stupid. Opinion polls show that most voters supported Bolsonaro because they want huge changes to Brazil’s political system, not because they agree with his more radical remarks. The rise of Bolsonaro is the result of five years of deep political and economic crisis in Brazil; the worst recession since the return of democracy; and corruption scandals embroiling the most important parties. Crime has become rampant, with more than 60,000 murders a year. Moderate leaders failed to address these key social demands, allowing Bolsonaro to present himself as a rebel and outsider railing against the establishment.
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