National development in technology, infrastructure, and trade is the priority goal. Traditional principles of Brazilian diplomacy such as democratic multilateral-ism have taken a back seat.Climate change has been called a "Marxist conspiracy" by Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo. Domestic interests are more important than global responsibilities such as the protection of the Amazon. Similar to President Donald Trump's populist modus operandi, Bolsonaro's foreign policy aims at pleasing his political base.Brazilian-German relations have not been more distant since the Brazilian military dictatorship. Bolsonaro's rhetorical fanning of the flames in Amazo-nia is only the tip of the iceberg. Riots on January 8 saw pro-Bolsonaro protesters breaking into government buildings in Brasilia, following weeks of demonstrations over the election results.In September 2019 German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will officially launch the Alliance for Multilateralism at the United Nations, which Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro regards as a "useless institution." Since the right-wing extremist took office in January 2019, Brazil and Germany have been positioned in opposing camps on climate change, migration, and human rights policies. The case began with a lawsuit brought on by Brazil’s Democratic Labor Party against both Bolsonaro and Walter Braga Netto, his running mate in the 2022 elections.īolsonaro lost last year’s election by the narrowest margin in decades against current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The livestream of the 2022 meeting, which was once available through official channels, was taken down by YouTube for not complying with its fake news policy. Such claims of flaws in the electoral system have all been denied by Brazil’s electoral authorities. What is the problem discussing this matter?”Īccording to the report from Judge Gonçalves, the former president allegedly said the 2022 elections might be compromised due to fraud in his meeting with the ambassadors.īolsonaro also allegedly said that in 2018 voting machines changed voters’ choices to benefit his opponent, that the Brazilian voting machines are not auditable, and also insinuated that electoral and judicial authorities were protecting “terrorists,” the report added. I didn’t mention the word’ fraud’ there regarding future elections,” he said, adding: “I spoke of the Federal Police inquiry in November 2018 that, to date, has not been concluded. “It was just discussed with them how the electoral system worked. REUTERS/Adriano Machado Adriano Machado/Reutersīrazilian police raid former President Bolsonaro's home, arrest former aide: CNN Brasil The far right Bolsonaro has said the charges are not justified, and trivialized the proceedings in an exclusive interview with CNN Brasil on Wednesday, describing them as a “storm in a glass of water.”įormer Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro leaves his home following a search operation, in Brasilia, Brazil May 3, 2023. Proceedings could be extended by months if any of the judges request more information. The trial has now been adjourned until next week. In Thursday’s court session, a report from Judge Benedito Gonçalves on the case was read aloud and both sides presented their arguments. If found guilty, Bolsonaro could be ruled ineligible to run for public office for up to eight years. The charges stem from a meeting Bolsonaro held with foreign diplomats in July 2022, in which he is accused of spreading false information about Brazil’s electoral system and bringing its credibility into question – a strategy the former president used in his reelection campaign. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s trial on charges of abuse of political power and misuse of public media began in the country’s highest electoral court on Thursday in Brasilia.
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