Bolsonaro silent after Brazil presidential vote loss Published duration 25 November 2018
image copyright Reuters image caption President Jair Bolsonaro spoke briefly after his defeat
President Jair Bolsonaro has spoken in private for the first time since his historic presidential defeat in Sunday’s vote amid reports he has lost faith in the military. The president later spoke to members of Congress and said Brazil’s future was “bright”. The BBC’s Adam Edelman says he has told analysts there is no room at the top for anyone who does not “love the armed forces” and that he cannot have a single candidate that does not have the same sentiments.
President Jair Bolsonaro speaks to members of Congress.
image copyright AFP
image copyright AFP
The Brazilian military has held its key positions of influence in a series of events over its two-decade rule of the country.
It’s influence on the Brazilian executive is now so great that Congress can no longer ignore them, our correspondent says.
In particular, the presidency, currently in the hands of congress, was only granted after the military said they would only step in if congress voted against it.
The military is not going to do it again and now they will push for an absolute majority in congress. And for that they need Bolsonaro to step down, our correspondent says.
He added that the military would look to have a “president who is able to deliver” and not just any president. At the same time, he said the military would not step in in “bloodshed”.
Bolsonaro has spoken to the president of the central bank, Alexandre Tombini, about the military taking control at this time. The BBC was unable to contact him on Monday.
The military has a history of intervening in Brazil’s political system.
The military, which is estimated to number about 90,000, has been involved in a series of political crises at the national and state levels, our correspondent says.
Related Topics Brazil