Brazil’s Chief Justice Nixes Peace Talks with Bolsonaro
Brazil’s Chief Justice Nixes Peace Talks with Bolsonaro
“Bolsonaro is laying the groundwork to question, or perhaps try to reverse, the election result in 2022 at a time when polls show him losing badly,” said Brian Winter to AP.
The Brazilian Supreme Court’s chief justice said Thursday he cancelled a meeting that had been intended to mollify President Jair Bolsonaro and avert institutional crisis after the far-right leader continued railing against the court’s justices.
Analysts said justice’s decision to scrap the sit-down between himself, Bolsonaro and the leaders of both congressional chambers ratchets up the temperature and brings the nation a step closer to full-blown institutional crisis…
As his government came under fire for its pandemic response, Bolsonaro has frequently repeated the false claim that the top court prohibited him from adopting measures to limit the virus’ spread. In fact, the court ruling ensured mayors and governors also had jurisdiction to act.
Brian Winter, vice president for policy at the Americas Society/Council of Americas, said the chief justice’s statements on Thursday are “definitely an escalation of an institutional crisis that has been building throughout 2021.” “Everybody in Brasilia knows where this is headed,” Winter added.
“Bolsonaro is laying the groundwork to question, or perhaps try to reverse, the election result in 2022 at a time when polls show him losing badly.”
