President Bolsonaro Campaigns in London During Visit to Pay Tribute to the British Queen

"International Disgrace" Criticism Pours In from Brazil

Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil, has sparked controversy after it was revealed that he made political remarks for his presidential campaign while visiting London, UK, to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Photo by BBC News Brazil YouTube capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Jair Bolsonaro, the President of Brazil, has been criticized for using the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom for his presidential campaign.

According to the recent report by the British daily The Guardian, President Bolsonaro, who came to the UK to attend the funeral, gave a speech on the balcony of the Brazilian ambassador's residence in London on the 18th (local time).

In his speech, he expressed "deep respect" to the bereaved family and the British people, stating that he had come to London to pay tribute to the Queen.

After this 13-second statement, he began making political remarks for his presidential campaign. He told his supporters, "We are on the right path," adding, "We are a country that does not want discussions on drug legalization, abortion legalization, or acceptance of gender ideology." He emphasized, "Our slogan is God, homeland, family, freedom."

Once it became known that President Bolsonaro made such remarks abroad, criticism poured in from within Brazil. Joyce Hasselmann, a right-wing politician and former aide to President Bolsonaro, criticized, "President Bolsonaro turned the Queen's funeral into a campaign podium," while law professor Paulo Abr?o called it "another international disgrace."

Brazilian media also reported that President Bolsonaro saw the Queen's funeral as an opportunity to strengthen his election campaign. The local daily Estado de S?o Paulo reported, "According to sources close to the president, the decision to visit London was related to the opportunity to record campaign videos."

Meanwhile, ahead of the presidential election starting on the 2nd of next month, recent polls show that President Bolsonaro is trailing former President Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva, who represents the left-wing camp, by 13 percentage points. Brazilian polling firm IPEC reported earlier this month that Bolsonaro's approval rating was 31%, while former President Lula's was 44%.

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