Brazil's Bolsonaro Breaks Silence After Two Days, Admits Presidential Election Defeat: "A Person Who Upholds the Constitution"

Granting Transfer of Power Authority to Elected Officials
Request to Refrain from Violent Protest Demonstrations

President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who lost in the presidential runoff election, broke his two-day silence and acknowledged defeat. President Bolsonaro referred to the supporters' protests against the election results spreading across Brazil as a "mass movement," but also called for an end to violent acts such as property destruction.

On the 1st (local time), the British BBC reported that although President Bolsonaro did not directly mention his defeat in a national address that day, he indirectly acknowledged the election results by approving the procedures for the transfer of power.

President Bolsonaro stated, "I have always been labeled anti-democratic, but unlike those who criticize me, I have always abided by the constitution and rules," and said he would follow the constitution, which stipulates the transfer of power in case of defeat in the runoff election.

Chief of Staff Ciro Nogueira said that President Bolsonaro has authorized the start of the power transfer process and that from the 3rd, steps will be taken to officially confirm the election of Vice President candidate Alckmin.

That day, President Bolsonaro also urged his supporters, who were holding protests against the election results, to refrain from violent acts. He emphasized, "Only peaceful protests are welcome," and added, "Our methods must not be like those of the left-wing forces who always harm the people by destroying property and obstructing traffic."

Earlier, major foreign media reported on the 31st of last month that Bolsonaro's supporters expressed anger over the election defeat and staged road-blocking protests. They piled tires on roads and set them on fire, causing some roads leading to S?o Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to be blocked.

However, President Bolsonaro left without making any particular remarks about Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva, the winner of the runoff election. The BBC reported, "He has still not made any phone calls to President-elect Lula," and added, "Since the election ended, he has maintained silence and remained out of public view, showing an isolated course of action."

Meanwhile, in the runoff election held on the 30th of last month, President-elect Lula won with 50.9% of the vote, defeating President Bolsonaro, who received 49.1%. After the election, Bolsonaro's 44-hour silence on the election results led to the spread of protests against the election outcome by his supporters across Brazil.

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