On Sunday, October 28, Jair Bolsonaro received 55.8% of the votes. It is no surprise he emerged as the winner in the polls. Indeed, tired of the successive corruption cases of the Workers’ Party when in power (especially during the presidencies of Lula and Dilma Roussef) and of the massive insecurity in the country, the Brazilians have chosen.

Bolsonaro’s promises of a safer Brazil and an end to corruption prompted the majority of Brazilian voters to opt for this candidate who promises to restore the right to bare arms and who defends a massive economic liberalization program as well as a return to conservative values.
In a weakened Brazil marked by insecurity and corruption, his homophobic, racist and misogynistic discourse resonates amongst the disaffected voters.

Latin America’s largest democracy is therefore driven into the extreme right, destabilizing not only the regional order, but also the world order. Whether it be at the political, social, environmental or economic level, Bolsonaro’s election is a major shift for Brazil, which has chosen a similar path to that of its American neighbour.

However, it is important to stress the importance of the Brazilian Constitution, which guarantees a balance of power between the executive and the Congress. The Congress should be able to temper with Bolsonaro’s dangerous reforms, as long as the Brazilian army remains outside the power grip of this nostalgic for the military dictatorship. 

By Cécile Wlodarczak 

Source 

Le Monde : https://www.lemonde.fr/ameriques/article/2018/10/29/jair-bolsonaro-elu-president-le-bresil-prend-le-virage-de-l-extreme-droite_5375879_3222.html