A Crucial Election Year in Brazil – Lula Return vs Bolsonaro’s Anti-Democratic Attacks

By Patrick Foley

Presidential elections take place in Brazil next year and they pose one of the biggest political struggles in a generation.

The country is faced with a choice between the continuation of far-right rule and pandemic mis-management under Bolsonaro; or the return of the most popular-ever President, Lula da Silva.

This is only if Bolsonaro is stopped from dismantling democracy before elections take place next October. The President’s popularity has drastically plummeted, with Brazil’s tragic pandemic death toll rising to over 600,000. In response, he has threatened democratic institutions, claimed that the elections will be fraudulent and said that “only god” can remove him from office.

Brazil’s 2022 election: Lula’s return Vs Bolsonaro’s anti-democratic agenda – EVENT DECEMBER 9th

Brazil’s 2022 election: Lula’s return Vs Bolsonaro’s anti-democratic agenda

With elections under a year away, Bolsonaro has been ramping up threats against democracy and the electoral system. The far-right President has openly said that he will claim fraud if he loses, and that “only god” can remove him from power.

We must show the far-right in Brazil that the world is watching, and support the huge movements of resistance against Bolsonaro. If elections were held today, former President Lula da Silva would win in the first round.

Online – Thursday, December 9th at 6PM. Register here.

Show your international solidarity and support with:

Richard Burgon MP – Brazil Solidarity Initiative Chair

Nathalia Urban – Journalist, Brasil Wire

Alex Main – Economist and electoral analyst, Centre for Economic and Policy Research (US)

PLUS MORE TBA

——————————————————————————-

This election is crucial for the social, indigenous, environmental, quilombo, trade union, LGBT+, women’s, black and other groups fighting back against Bolsonaro’s reactionary and hate-filled agenda.

Please show your solidarity and support. This event is hosted by the Brazil Solidarity Initiative.

System change is possible: we need to challenge Bolsonaro and his corporate backers – Juliana Moraes, Washington Brazil Office

“Private agricultural conglomerates like Cargil, a US based company, and investment giants like Blackstone are the forefront of the deforestation in the Amazon and other parts of Brazil.”

Juliana Moraes, executive director of the Washington Brazil Office, details the destructive agenda being implemented by far-right President Bolsonaro and his corporate backers. This call for international action, vigilance and solidarity was made during the Arise Festival event: “System Change, Not Climate Change.” Read her contribution in full:

We must stand internationally with Brazilians resisting Bolsonaro – Claudia Webbe MP

“Bolsonaro’s handling of the pandemic has been under investigation by the Senate. Legislators heard that in keeping with Bolsonaro’s dismissal of coronavirus as “a little flu”, he was resistant to buying COVID-19 vaccines, preferring to bet on ‘herd immunity’ as the way to beat the coronavirus.”  

Brazil’s mass protests against Bolsonaro and the far-right show that the country is at a tipping point. Our international solidarity is vital for those fighting for social progress, democracy and public health writes Claudia Webbe MP.

The Rise of Authoritarianism in Bolsonaro’s Brazil

“Despite the huge economic, social and political crisis that is plaguing the country, the government seems to be more concerned about further radicalising its supporters, and is putting the Brazilian electoral system in check.”

Nathalia Urban, Brasil Wire, tackles the growing authoritarianism taking place under far-right President Bolsonaro – threats against the electoral system, false claims of fraud and the arrests of those speaking out against him.

British Labour Movement Support for Brazil’s #BolsonaroOut Protests!

“The Bolsonaro government has failed the Brazilian people at a horrific cost of half a million lives lost in the pandemic” – Jeremy Corbyn

Why was the British media silent for so long about the persecution of Lula?

“Through these omissions, British media coverage, like Brazilian mainstream coverage, did not just simplify & sensationalise what was happening in Brazil, it provided editorial cover for wrongdoings.”

Lula’s Triumphant Return Boosts Resistance Against Bolsonaro

“This new ruling restores Lula’s political rights, enabling him to stand for president in the 2022 elections. He remains one of the most popular politicians in the country, with polls showing him well ahead of other possible candidates.” Writes Susan Grey, Brazil Solidarity Initiative & Labour Friends of Progressive Latin America.

Bolsonaro’s “Genocidal” Policies – An Open Letter to Humanity

A powerful open letter to humanity was signed on 6th March by Renowned Musician Chico Buarque, Leading Philosopher Leonardo Boff, and many other Brazilian artists and intellectuals.

Quarter of a million dead: Calls for Bolsonaro to go chime louder

At the end of last week, Brazil passed two devastating landmarks with regards to the Coronavirus pandemic – writes Claudia Webbe MP