Bolsonaro wins Brazil presidency
Ex-army captain vows to adhere to democratic principles; Trump greets new leader says ready to ‘work closely together on Trade, Military and everything else;’ EU, France, China congratulate Brazil’s president-elect, pledge to work together
RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil entered a new era on Monday after electing its next president, Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right congressman who vowed a fundamental change in direction for the giant Latin American country.
Bolsonaro, who openly admires Brazil’s former military dictatorship and shocked many with his derogatory remarks on women, gays and blacks, won 55 per cent of the vote in a run-off election on Sunday.
RIO DE JANEIRO: Jair Bolsonaro, A FAR-RIGHT irebrand Former Army captain, won Brazil’s presidential election in convincing fashion, wooing voters with promises to gut endemic political corruption and wage a brutal battle against powerful drug gangs.
Bolsonaro, who early in his legislative career declared he was “in favour” of dictatorships and demanded that Congress be disbanded, vowed after his Sunday night win to adhere to democratic principles while holding up a copy of the country’s Constitution.
US President Donald Trump said he had an “excellent call” congratulating Bolsonaro and tweeted about their plans to “work closely together on Trade, Military and everything else!” Markets also cheered Bolsonaro’s victory, sending Brazil’s benchmark Bovespa stock index to an all-time high on his pledges to balance the federal budget AND privatize state irms.
The European Union expects future Brazilian leaders to “work to consolidate democracy”, an EU spokeswoman said Monday when asked whether presidentelect Jair Bolsonaro posed a threat to democratic values.
Beijing congratulated Bolsonaro - who has accused China of “buying Brazil” - on winning his country’s presidential elections.
French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Bolsonaro for his victory and added that France would look to continue to co-operate on Brazil on areas including environmental issues.
“The President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron congratulates Jair Bolsonaro, who was elected by the people of Brazil to become president of the federal republic of Brazil on Sunday, October 28,” said a statement from Macron’s OFICE. BEIJING “Congratulates” Bolsonaro and will continue to “deepen mutually BENEICIAL Cooperation AND promote common development of both Countries to Beneit THE two peoples,” said foreign ministry spokesman Lu KANG At A regular press BRIEING.
Bolsonaro’s transition team planned to meet on Monday with President Michel Temer’s team to start work ahead of his Jan. 1 inauguration.
Bolsonaro’s win alarmed critics around the globe, mainly because of his vows to sweep away leftist political opponents and his history of making insulting comments about gays, women and minorities.
His victory brings Brazil’s military back into the political limelight after it spent three decades in the barracks following the country’s 1964-1985 dictatorship. Several retired generals will serve as ministers and close advisers.
“You are all my witnesses that this government will defend the constitution, of liberty and of God,” Bolsonaro said In A FACEBOOK live VIDEO In HIS irst comments after his victory.
An outspoken Trump admirer, Bolsonaro also vowed to realign Brazil with more advanced economies such as the United States, overhauling diplomatic priorities after nearly a decade and a half of leftist rule.
Bolsonaro joins a list of populist, RIGHT-WING igures to win Elections In recent years such as Trump, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Trump’s friendly congratulatory call augurs closer political ties between the two largest economies in the Americas - both now led by conservative populists promising to overturn the political establishment.
Bolsonaro won 55.2 per cent of votes in a run-off election against left-wing hopeful Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party (PT), who garnered 44.8 per cent, according to electoral authority TSE.
The 63-year-old congressman’s rise has been propelled by rejection of the leftist PT that ran Brazil for 13 of the last 15 years and was ousted two years ago in the midst of a deep recession and political graft scandal.
Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters CHEERED AND set OFF ireworks outside his home in Rio de Janeiro’s beachfront Barra de Tijuca neighborhood as his victory was announced.
Investors also cheered Bolsonaro’s ascent, relieved that he could keep the PT out of power and hopeful that he would Carry out iscal reforms proposed by his orthodox economic guru.