In Brazil, tens of thousands of people took to the streets demanding the resignation of President Jair Bolsonaro and slogans against his policy against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. As reported on Sunday, July 25, AFP, the actions were announced in 400 cities across the country. This is the fourth weekend in a row, organized by left-wing political supporters, trade unions and public associations.
In the country’s second largest city, Rio de Janeiro, thousands of demonstrators joined the rally in red robes and protective masks. They held posters and banners with the words: “Down with the corrupt criminal”, “Impeachment – now”, “We want vaccinations, he wants bribes.” Actions took place, in particular, also in Recife and Salvador.
Protesters complained about the late start of the vaccination campaign, high unemployment and lack of support for low-income populations economically affected by the pandemic.
Parliamentary committee investigates legality of Bolsonaro’s actions
Bolsonara is reproached for the fact that he, doubting the danger of coronavirus and the benefits of vaccination, contributed to the spread of COVID-19 and an increase in the number of victims with this diagnosis.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the government has opposed the lockdown and other restrictions, citing the high cost of such measures for the economy. At this stage, a committee of the National Congress – the country’s parliament – is investigating the legality of Bolsonaro’s actions during the epidemic.
President’s rating fell to minimum
Meanwhile, according to recent opinion polls, Jair Bolsonaro’s approval rating among the population fell to a minimum, at just 24 percent. As noted by a number of analysts, in the elections next year, he could face defeat at the hands of ex-Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva. Supporters of the leftist Workers’ Party, of which he is the leader, are actively supporting the protests in the country.
According to the website of the Worldometer volunteer group, as of July 25, 19,670,534 people have been infected in the country since the start of the pandemic, 549,500 have died with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Brazilians have received more than 130 million doses of coronavirus vaccine. About 45 percent of Brazilians received their first vaccination and about 17 percent both. The population of the country exceeds 212 million.
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The rise and fall of Lula da Silva
Leader of the strike movement
In 1975, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva became head of the Metallurgical Workers’ Union of the Federal District of São Paulo. By the end of the 70s, da Silva, who had organized many strikes by that time, became widely known throughout the country and in the eyes of the military who held power in Brazil, was a threat to public order. In 1980, after another strike, he spent 31 days behind bars.
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The rise and fall of Lula da Silva
Party founder
Shortly before his arrest, da Silva, together with a group of scientists and intellectuals, created a new political association – the Workers’ Party. After his release, he devoted himself entirely to politics. In 1982 he applied for the seat of the mayor of Sao Paulo, but lost the election. And in 1986 he got a seat in the Brazilian Congress.
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The rise and fall of Lula da Silva
Presidential candidate
In 1989, Brazil held the first free elections for the head of state after 21 years of military dictatorship (1964-1985). Da Silva’s leftist rhetoric scared away conservative circles in Brazilian society from his candidacy. Nevertheless, da Silva reached the second round of voting, where he lost to Fernand Colora de Mello.
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The rise and fall of Lula da Silva
Presidential candidate again
In 1994, da Silva again ran for election. And again he loses – this time to the scientist Fernand Henrique Cardoso. The same outcome is for the 1998 election campaign, where Cardoso wins again thanks to his successes in the fight against inflation in the country.
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The rise and fall of Lula da Silva
The president
In 2003, on the fourth try, da Silva finally managed to win. For the first time in Brazilian history, a former worker and trade unionist holds the highest public office in the country. However, for the sake of victory, da Silva forges an alliance with part of the Brazilian elite and appoints a business representative to the post of vice president. The left wing in the Labor Party is increasingly isolated.
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The rise and fall of Lula da Silva
Raw material seller
During the reign of da Silva, a trained turner who lost a finger while working in an automobile factory, the Brazilian economy experienced a boom. Brazilian soybeans, beef and oil were in demand on the world raw material market. At the same time, higher wages and investment in infrastructure have boosted domestic consumption in the country.
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The rise and fall of Lula da Silva
Hero of the Poor
As president, da Silva was the first in the country’s history to launch a massive campaign to combat poverty and hunger. A number of social programs have been developed, the main one being the Bolsa Familia (“Family Package”). Those in need were helped in paying for housing, secondary and higher education. Da Silva’s social programs have lifted some 30 million Brazilians out of poverty.
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The rise and fall of Lula da Silva
Operation successor
Due to his popularity among the general population, da Silva easily won the 2006 presidential election. At the end of his second presidential term, 87% of the country’s population supported him. Da Silva named the head of the presidential administration, Dilma Rousseff, as his successor. In 2011, she became the first female president of Brazil, but in 2014 she lost this post as a result of impeachment.
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The rise and fall of Lula da Silva
Fight cancer
In October 2011, da Silva was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. The charismatic politician first appeared in public without his trademark beard. After 5 months, he announced the victory over the disease and returned to politics. In 2012, a new success awaited him: the Workers’ Party won the local elections in São Paulo.
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The rise and fall of Lula da Silva
Defendant
Several members of the Workers’ Party were arrested in the course of an investigation into corruption in the highest echelons of the Brazilian government. The ex-president also came to the attention of law enforcement officers. He was accused of obtaining illegal material benefits from transactions with one of the construction firms. In July 2017, da Silva was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison. The second instance court extended the term to 12 years.
Author: Jean-Philippe Struck, Alex Schosler
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