RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Brazil’s incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro avoided conceding defeat in the presidential election on Tuesday in his first speech since the second round of voting, saying protests were the fruit of “indignation and a feeling of injustice” after the results.
His chief of staff, Ciro Nogueira, indicated that Jair Bolsonaro’s team would begin the transition process with that of President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Jair Bolsonaro has not yet spoken with Lula.
Supporters of the incumbent president erected roadblocks across the country in protest, disrupting economic activity.
In a speech that lasted only a few minutes, Jair Bolsonaro thanked the Brazilians who voted for him, and reaffirmed that he would respect the Brazilian Constitution, which stipulates that the transfer of power must take place on January 1.
He referred to the protests as a “grassroots movement” and demanded that protesters not destroy property or “hinder freedom of movement”.
That, however, may not be enough to end protests by his supporters across Brazil.
Fuel deliveries, meat production and the movement of grain to ports were still disrupted on Tuesday, authorities and businesses said.
(Report Gabriel Stargardter; French version Camille Raynaud)
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