Large Pro-Government Protest in Brazil... President Urges Protesters to Disobey Supreme Court

President Urges Pro-Government Protesters "Supreme Court Justices Should Resign Themselves"
Presidential Rival Lula Says "President Incites Violence"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] On the 7th (local time), Brazil's Independence Day, pro-government rallies by supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro took place one after another in major cities. President Bolsonaro urged citizens participating in the pro-government rallies to disobey the Supreme Court and mentioned that he might not accept the results of next year's presidential election.

In the capital Bras?lia, protesters broke through police barricades in front of the National Congress the night before and attempted to enter the Supreme Court, holding an overnight protest while occupying the square in front of the Presidential Palace. In S?o Paulo, protests continued for the second day with street marches in the city center.

The protesters called for the abolition of electronic voting and demanded the closure of the Supreme Court, which is in conflict with President Bolsonaro over investigations into the illegal funding of pro-government rallies and the spread of fake news, as well as for military political intervention.

In front of the protesters in Bras?lia, President Bolsonaro said, "We can demand those who act beyond the powers stipulated in the constitution to step down," making remarks that incited attacks against the Supreme Court.

Later in the afternoon, after moving to S?o Paulo, President Bolsonaro urged his supporters to disobey the Supreme Court. Targeting Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is investigating illegal funding of pro-government rallies and the spread of fake news, he even used profanity, saying, "No one will be able to arrest me."

The Supreme Court regarded President Bolsonaro's remarks in Bras?lia and S?o Paulo as a threat to the constitutional order and announced that it would convene a meeting of the justices. Depending on the outcome of the meeting, an investigation into President Bolsonaro may be conducted.

Legal experts also expressed opinions that the content of President Bolsonaro's speech could be interpreted as a challenge to the constitution, going beyond the duties of the president.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

President Bolsonaro repeatedly stated that unless electronic voting is changed to a verifiable paper ballot system, he will not accept the results even if he loses next year's presidential election.

Accordingly, concerns are spreading that incidents similar to the January storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. may be repeated around next year's presidential election.

Among the presidential candidates, left-wing former President Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva, who is leading in the polls, criticized, "The president is not trying to solve problems but is promoting division, conflict, hatred, and violence."

Meanwhile, anti-government protests opposing the pro-government rallies also continued.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Anti-government protesters demanded the impeachment of President Bolsonaro, and the leadership of major political parties is expected to join the impeachment campaign.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.