Unemployment, possible bankruptcy of the country, international mishaps, destruction of the education system, and an internal conflict punctuated by purges… The first few months of Brazil’s Bolsonaro administration will challenge future historians to truly understand the actions (and consequences) of a government comparable to Don Quixote fighting windmills. Except in Bolsonaro’s case the windmills are a global communist conspiracy.
Part of a global wave of fascism, Bolsonaro decided not to disappoint fans and critics alike. Brazil is facing an unprecedented economic crisis, which worsened during the second Dilma Rousseff administration (2015-2016). Due to the crisis and the political inability of the Workers’ Party at the time, Rousseff was eventually removed from office through an impeachment process. Her then vice-president, Michel Temer, did little to improve the country’s economy, handing over power with the country in a situation that is at the very least complicated, if not alarming.
In fact, Bolsonaro’s election is the result of the crisis, not only economic, but also social — a reflection of the unstoppable growth in violence and unemployment, but also of the spiral of victimisation in which the Workers’ Party has inserted itself since Rousseff’s impeachment.
The crisis is also political, of a population dissatisfied with the current model of representation and seeking alternatives — no matter how bad they may be. The parliament underwent one of the greatest processes of renewal in its history, leading the until-then tiny Social Liberal Party (PSL) to become one of the largest forces in the country. The problem is that “Bolsonarism” is nothing more than an occasional electoral alliance between absolutely different and, in many cases, divergent right-wing and extreme-right forces. The PSL itself is constantly shaken by internal, often public, conflicts between its members.
Due to the economic crisis, there was a consensus that spending cuts in several areas would be necessary — and soon they came, but disguised as ideological revenge, in particular in the Ministry of Education, where Minister Abraham Weintraub decided to make deep cuts at three specific federal universities for promoting “uproar” with public money, i.e. carrying out events and activities contrary to the ideological beliefs of the ruling party.
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro announced his intention cut funds to the humanities, which, for him, focus only on teaching “cultural Marxism” and “gender ideology“.
Weintraub’s original announcement was followed by another, in which the spending cut was extended to all universities and federal institutes. On May 15 and May 30, millions took to the streets to demonstrate against the funding cuts in education.
While the government focuses on the ideological persecution of universities, the economy is showing signs of stagnation and is even heading towards recession, with unemployment reaching 12.7% (or 13.4 million unemployed).
On the international stage, Brazil has been subjected to constant embarrassment because of Foreign Affairs Minister Ernesto Araújo, who thinks he is on a crusade to defend Christianity and whose role in the Venezuelan crisis has cost the country a possible negotiator and mediator position.
On a trip to Israel, both Bolsonaro and Araújo made disastrous statements about Nazism being a leftist ideology, as well as damaging years of relationship-building with Palestine — and potentially other Arab countries — after opening a commercial representation in Jerusalem (but retreating from the planned embassy relocation).
As the government shows signs of disintegration amidst internal conflicts, with Bolsonaro showing little to no ability to articulate politically with parliament, the country faces an unprecedented crisis, with unemployment reaching 12.7% (or 13.4 million unemployed), and without effective leadership governing the country. The government has blocked resources of diverse projects from ministries, virtually paralysing them. Bolsonaro plans to auction off several public companies as a way to get money to pay off debts and make cash for investments.
Bolsonaro also sought to strengthen ties with Donald Trump and sent one of his sons Eduardo to strengthen ties with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — there, he criticised George Soros — and Salvini’s Italy.
After six months of government, Bolsonaro has little or nothing positive to show. He hasn’t been able to carry out any of the promised reforms (particularly the pension reform), nor has he achieved any relevant commercial or diplomatic success. His main accomplishment is the ideological confrontation against anything he considers of left-wing ideology. Unsurprisingly, his popularity rates are falling.
I cannot believe this article did not mention Lula De Silva and the trumped charges that barred him from winning the election against Bolsonaro, particularly given the recent discoveries published by the Intercept proving the corruption of the Brazilian judicial system in it’s political witch hunt against Lula. Sergio Moro the celebrated “judge” in the case is proven to have collaborated with prosecutors, as if that wasn’t obvious when he was made Bolsonaro’s justice minister. He is now facing widespread calls to resign.. Surely this was worth mentioning at least in passing?
Hi Jack,
That’s something for an entirely different article focused on this particular topic – that is indeed interesting and relevant, but there was just no room for it on this one as it’d demand a lot of background. But one thing is important to remind, even though the case against Lula may be annulled, it will be for obvious procedural flaws, but at no time has the evidence against him been called into question. The debate is about due process, not the evidences, meaning that a new investigation against him could be opened, based on the existing evidence, and he would probably be convicted again.
Why do I sense parallels in this situation and that of Germany in 1932-33? Oh, that’s right, an ex-Army person (a Captain this time not a corporal), with very strident right-wing views, coming to power during the countries crisis of confidence in itself, politics and the future, the seeking of ‘strong’ alliances with other such leaders (who also lack ethical and moral standing and who happily lie to suit their need) and a slowly building conspiracy story about the left and far left (the necessary ‘enemy of the state’ in such stories. This man never had any answers he was capable of delivering. He knows only anger, division and violence. As always, be careful what you vote for, it may come with nice wrapping, but the contents are what matter.
It’s a little strange that Bolsanoro’s problems have been discussed without mentioning the continued controversy surrounding the “Car Wash” prosecution of Lula. Perhaps this article was filed last week, but since the weekend the Brazilian media has been aflame with reports of leaked conversations between the prosecutor in Lula’s case, Dallagnol, and Moro, the judge, showing a high level of collusion. With Moro now being Justice Minister the implications for Bolsanoro, his cabinet and even his election (Lula’s conviction prevented him from standing as a candidate) are profound. Bolsanoro’s Vice President, Mourao, has also been distancing himself from Bolsanaro’s more outlandish statements. More importantly, as a retired general, Mourao has publicly distanced himself from any suggestion that the armed forces would support Bolsanoro should he try to create the circumstances for a coup.
It was indeed filed before the controversy started, but also the crisis surrounding the Car Wash Operation would require a lot of background and deserves an article of its own. BTW, you seem to follow Brazilian politics and Mourão has actually distanced himself from Bolsonaro in almost every opportunity, it’s odd, but he seems like the only one capable of some thinking in Bolsonaro’s government.
Brazil doesn’t deserve this. A rich, marvelous, beautiful country and people.
Credit where credit is due; he has started logging what remains of the amazon rainforest and followed that up with grazing cattle on the cleared land. This must be some sort of climate change acceleration record; the removal of one of the Earth’s most bio-diverse lungs replaced with the worst contributor to climate change: industralised beef grazing.
I’m excited for what the future holds!
How good is land clearing!
reduces bush fires – so must be good!