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The storming of the government quarter shows the divided Brazil. The role of the ex-president remains unclear.
Many people in Brazil are currently in shock, as Karen Naundorf, SRF’s South America correspondent, says. In addition, it is unclear how to proceed.
Violent fanatics are at play here
Naundorf adds: “It hasn’t just been clear since Monday evening that violent fanatics are at play here.” For example, there have already been several death threats against the newly elected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. A bomb attack was prevented shortly before Christmas.
But it should also be noted that Lula only narrowly won the election. Accordingly, there are a number of Bolsonaro supporters in Brazil who would perceive the events completely differently, according to Naundorf. From their point of view, Lula only won through voter fraud.
However, there is no evidence whatsoever to support the allegation of voter fraud. Nevertheless: From the point of view of parts of Bolsonaro’s supporters, the invaders on Sunday were not putschists, but even defenders of Brazil’s democracy, says the correspondent.
Bolsonaro’s role in the storming of the government district
Naundorf notes that Bolsonaro did not call for a storm, but there is no doubt that his behavior laid the foundation for it: “He stirred up anger, glorified violence, and never really recognized his election defeat.” Whether this has criminal relevance is not yet known at this point in time.
He stirred up anger.
The investigations of the judiciary are currently ongoing. For example, the subject of the investigation is who paid for the more than 40 buses that brought Bolsonaro supporters to the capital on Sunday. In addition, according to Naundorf, it is unclear why the requested reinforcements from the Senate police did not materialize.
The storming of the government district also shows the fragility of democracy. The foundations of democracy in Brazil are in danger. But there is also good news for President Lula: The broad-based coalition is likely to be welded together by the attack.
Criticism of Bolsonaro’s US stay
As is well known, Bolsonaro has been in Florida since the turn of the year. Representatives of the Democrats in particular would now be asking why Bolsonaro is there, says US correspondent Viviane Manz for her part.
Bolsonaro should leave the country, some politicians from the democratic camp demanded. They wanted to prevent Brazil’s voted-out president from finding refuge from any possible proceedings. According to the US government, however, no extradition proceedings are currently pending.