Federal Police arrested some of Bolsonaro’s closest aides and carried out search warrants against former ministers and high-ranked military officers. The allegation: plotting a coup.
President Jair Bolsonaro summoned his ministers and staff to a meeting at his official residence on July 5, 2022. They discussed at length ways to prevent a defeat in the upcoming October elections. Everyone in the room seemed to agree that democracy should not stand in their way.
They are being investigated for allegedly hatching a military coup as a response to Lula da Silva’s victory in the vote. Amid searches, the police found a draft decree through which Bolsonaro would institute a state of siege in the country, hand over power to the generals, and put Justice Moraes behind bars.
Why, then, did Bolsonaro fail to overthrow democracy? Incompetence and self-deception have surely played a role, but there are more layers to Brazil’s democratic survival. One of them is that the Supreme Court seemed to be always one step ahead of Bolsonaro. The far right, spearheaded by Steve Bannon, used Brazil as a laboratory of extremist ideas, especially while Trump was still president. Democratic advocates, in turn, closed ranks with their Brazilian counterparts to resist Bolsonaro’s assault on human rights, public health, and the environment. With Biden in the White House, the US also helped constrain the Bolsonaro administration through diplomatic channels.
Testing the limits of democracy In fact, the Brazilian version of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots is a cautionary tale of how a coup attempt may take place even after the autocrat steps down. While Trump, who was still in office, stirred a mob to invade Congress and prevent the session that would certify the 2020 election results, chaos spread by pro-Bolsonaro hordes took place one week after Lula had been sworn in.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Federal Treasury Scrutinizes Family Trusts as 1.7 Million People Receive $60 Billion IncomeFederal Treasury has increased its scrutiny of family trusts after it was revealed that approximately 1.7 million individuals received nearly $60 billion in income from these tax-friendly trust vehicles. The use of trusts for tax planning has become more attractive due to recent changes in tax rates. About 11% of taxpayers reported trust income in the previous fiscal year.
Read more »
Federal Opposition Considers Amending Labor's Tax PackageThe federal opposition is considering amending Labor's tax package to avoid criticism for opposing tax cuts for low-income earners. Some members argue that the party should stand on principle and not reward a broken promise.
Read more »
Federal MPs push motion urging release of Julian Assange and his return to AustraliaThe lower house has passed a motion calling for the case against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be resolved ahead of his final extradition hearing.
Read more »
Federal Spending on Border Enforcement to Increase Amidst Claims of Funding CutFederal spending on border enforcement will reach $1.3 billion this year, countering claims of a funding cut. The spending will increase by $32 million to pay for surveillance flights and maritime patrols. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accuses Labor of cutting funding for border protection.
Read more »
Why Anthony Albanese thinks he’s o a winnerThe Labor government is as buoyed by its tax and industrial relations policies as the business community is aghast at the impact. But who’s listening?
Read more »
Extended interview: Bernie Sanders on why Donald Trump isn't the answer to the inequality crisisTrusted and independent source of local, national and world news. In-depth analysis, business, sport, weather and more.
Read more »