Bolsonaro vows to unite Brazil’s people

SAO PAULO — In some of his first words to the nation as president-elect, far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro promised to defend the constitution and unite a bitterly divided populace.

His left-leaning rival immediately vowed to mount a vigorous opposition, while rights groups warned against a rollback of civil liberties.

Bolsonaro said Sunday night he would “pacify” Brazil following a race that revealed deep divisions and was repeatedly marred by violence. The candidate himself was stabbed and almost died while campaigning in early September.

“This country belongs to all of us, Brazilians by birth or by heart, a Brazil of diverse opinions, colors and orientations,” he said.

Bolsonaro’s victory moved Brazil, the world’s fourth-largest democracy, sharply to the right after four consecutive elections in which candidates from the left-leaning Workers’ Party won.

Bolsonaro has frequently disparaged women, gays and blacks, praised torture and killings by police, and has said he would name military men to his Cabinet.

In recent weeks, Brazilians were bombarded with Whatsapp messages that condemned Workers’ Party candidate Fernando Haddad.

Bolsonaro got just over 55 percent of the votes Sunday, compared to right under 45 percent for Haddad.

Haddad promised a fight while saying he would respect the country’s institutions.

“We have the responsibility to mount an opposition, putting national interests, the interests of the entire Brazilian people, above everything,” Haddad said in a speech to supporters. “Brazil has possibly never needed the exercise of citizenship more than right now.”

Haddad did not congratulate Bolsonaro, and only on Monday morning did he wish him luck.