Brazil Vote: Big Night For Far-right
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published October 04, 2022 | 01:30 AM
Bras�lia, Oct 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Oct, 2022 ) :President Jair Bolsonaro was not the only one to have a surprisingly strong night in Brazil's elections Sunday: the far-right incumbent's allies also beat expectations in congressional and governor's races.
Political analysts say that means hardline conservatives will be powerful players in the Latin American giant's new political landscape, weakening leftist front-runner Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Workers' Party (PT), even if he beats Bolsonaro in the October 30 presidential runoff.
Here is a look at some of the big wins for "Bolsonarismo": - Congress - Bolsonaro's Liberal Party (PL) is on track to be the largest party in the lower house of Congress, according to analysts.
Its newly elected congressmen include some of Bolsonaro's most controversial allies: - Ex-environment minister Ricardo Salles won a seat for Sao Paulo. He presided over a surge in destruction in the Amazon rainforest and was forced to resign last year after coming under investigation for involvement in a timber trafficking scheme.
- Ex-health minister Eduardo Pazuello won a seat for Rio de Janeiro. The army general oversaw Brazil's response to Covid-19 during the worst phase of the pandemic, when hundreds of thousands of people died and severe oxygen shortages brought the health system in the northern city of Manaus to the brink of collapse.
- PL candidate Nikolas Ferreira, a 26-year-old social media personality, was the most-voted congressman-elect in the country, winning 1.
4 million votes.
- Senate - The PL and its allies won at least 15 of the 27 seats up for grabs in the 81-member Senate.
Bolsonaro allies elected include: - Former football star Romario, a Senate member since 2015.
- Ex-science minister Marcos Ponte, Brazil's first and only astronaut, who defied opinion polls to beat Lula ally Marcio Franca in Sao Paulo.
- Ex-women's minister Damares Alves.
- Ex-agriculture minister Tereza Cristina.
- Ex-development minister Rogerio Marino.
- Vice President Hamilton Mourao, an army reserve general.
- Governors - Far-right incumbent Claudio Castro (PL) easily won re-election as Rio de Janeiro state governor.
In Sao Paulo, Brazil's most populous and wealthiest state, PL candidate Tarcisio Freitas, Bolsonaro's former infrastructure minister and a top ally, shattered forecasts to win the first-round vote and force a runoff with Lula protege Fernando Haddad.
- Frenemies - Adding to the bleak picture for Lula's camp, the lead judge and prosecutor who sent him to jail on controversial corruption charges -- since overturned -- both won seats in the Senate.
Ex-judge Sergio Moro and ex-prosecutor Delton Dallagnol are not exactly Bolsonaro allies -- especially Moro, who quit his post as the far-right president's justice minister in 2020, accusing Bolsonaro of interfering in police investigations.
But they are certainly no friends of Lula, whom their mega-graft-busting probe, "Operation car Wash," sent to prison for 18 months.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
Rain-windstorm/thunderstorm likely at various parts of country
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
Khawaja reiterates PM commitment to judiciary
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Shaheed Jalil Andrabi remembered on his martyrdom anniversary
2 days ago -
Architectural grandeur of Mohabat Khan Mosque attracts visitors, archeology lovers
2 days ago -
Besant Hall cultural centre to hold programme in memory Pir Hassam din Rashdi
4 days ago -
USA beats Mexico 2-0 for CONCACAF Nations League title
4 days ago -
World urged to intervene for peace in Kashmir
5 days ago -
Undeterred resolve – only way to end economic woes
5 days ago
-
Organic Food: A booming trend in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
5 days ago -
From Soil to Harvest: Use of modern technology vital for agricultural renaissance
5 days ago -
Spring season offers glimpse into GB's natural beauty, cultural heritage
5 days ago -
Nation to mark decades’ long journey of resilience through annals of history
7 days ago -
23rd March: A historic day reminds Muslims’ heroic struggle for Pakistan
7 days ago -
Measures urged to recharge depleting water table: Experts
7 days ago