Bolsonaro further radicalizes speech while sidelining DEM
In a fiery speech on Sunday, President Jair Bolsonaro said there is no more room for dialogue. "We don't want to negotiate anything; what we want is an action for Brazil," he said atop a police car in Brasília in front of the Army's headquarters. Often coughing and with his voice failing at times, the president called voters to join the fight on his side. "The era of rascaldom is over, the people are on power now, fight with your president."
Without citing governors or mayors who have been keeping businesses shuttered to fight the spread of covid-19, the president said he would do whatever it takes "so that we can keep our democracy and ensure what is more sacred, which is our freedom." April 19 is Army day, and the same month of 1964 also saw significant developments in that year's military coup.
Also, in a clear message to state and city officials, Mr. Bolsonaro stated that "everyone in Brazil has to understand they are submitted to the will of the Brazilian people." Lastly, he echoed one of his campaign slogans by shouting: "Enough with the old politics."
Federal Supreme Court (STF) Justice and future Superior Electoral Court chief Luís Roberto Barroso said "it is frightening to watch demonstrations calling for the return of the military regime after 30 years of democracy" and that defending the Constitution and democracy is his role and duty. Another justice, Gilmar Mendes, demanded political responsibility and unity. "Invoking the AI-5 [dictatorial decree that suspended civil liberties in 1968] and the dictatorship's return is to shred any commitment to the Constitution and democratic order." Justice Marco Aurélio Mello told Valor "there is no room for regression." "The winds are democratic and will continue so. Totalitarian views deserve the highest excommunication," he said. Chief Justice Dias Toffoli did not comment.
Chamber of Deputies Speaker Rodrigo Maia (Democrats, DEM, of Rio de Janeiro), one of the main targets of Sunday's protest, reacted early in the evening. He posted on social media without citing Mr. Bolsonaro, lamenting that while the world is united against the coronavirus, in Brazil, one must also fight against the "virus of authoritarianism." He went on: "In the name of the Chamber of Deputies, I repudiate any acts defending the dictatorship and attacking the Constitution."
The governors of 20 states signed a public letter supporting Mr. Maia and Senate President David Alcolumbre (DEM of Amapá), who didn't comment on...
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