Published 13:40 IST, October 29th 2018
Jair Bolsonaro aka "Trump of the tropics" wins the Presidency of Brazil with 55.1% a majority
In the Presidential elections of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro a rightist and for Army Captain won the elections by 55.1% majority with a voter turn out of around 150 million people.
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The impetuous far-right Congressman, Jair Bolsonaro won the Presidency of Brazil on October 28.
Bolsonaro, or (not so) fondly known as the “Trump of the tropics” was embraced by the nation who looked past the warnings of his radicalism; defeating the leftist opponent Fernando Haddad.
Voting in this nation of Latin America’s largest population and the strongest economy is mandatory, leading to almost 150 million voters turn up. Conservative Bolsonaro overpowered in the Democracy with 55.1% of the majority, leaving the left-wing on the losing side with 44.8%.
"I was never alone. I always felt the presence of God and the force of the Brazilian people," the new President said.
In Rio de Janeiro, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters gathered on Copacabana Beach, blowing off fireworks. In Sao Paulo, the largest city celebrated the results with car honks and people gathering. Reports of clanks between the Oppositions amidst the politically potent atmosphere.
Bolsonaro was stabbed while campaigning last month and faced a close call with death, recalled the moment while addressing his supporters from his home in Rio de Janeiro.
The former Army Captain is the recent member who joined the league of world leaders and rose to power by often using rough, violent talks with a strong-right position. The leader holding “traditional” values vowed to clean up Brazil and would respect the constitution and personal liberty.
"That is a promise, not of a party, not the vain word of a man. It's a promise to God," he said, standing next to his wife and many cheering supporters.
His victory reflected widespread anger at the political class after years of corruption, an economy that has struggled to recover after a punishing recession and a surge in violence.
Speaking to supporters in Sao Paulo, his leftist opponent, Fernando Haddad of the Workers' Party, did not concede or even mention Bolsonaro by name. Instead, his speech was a promise to resist.
"We have the responsibility to mount an opposition, putting national interests, the interests of the entire Brazilian people, above everything," Haddad said. "Brazil has never needed the exercise of citizenship more than right now."
Over Bolsonaro’s candidacy concerns were raised that he would overturn civil rights and weaken the institutions that hold young democracy. The new President of Brazil in the past has sneered women, homosexuals, and black people.
Minutes after he was elected, several International Human Rights groups put out statements demanding that Bolsonaro respect Brazil's democracy. In a highly unusual moment earlier on October 28, the Chief Justice of the Brazilian Supreme Court, Jose Dias Toffoli, read out part of the Constitution to reporters after he voted.
The past few years in Brazil have been exceptionally stormy. In 2016, then-President Dilma Rousseff of the Workers' Party was impeached, the economy suffered a two-year recession with stagnancy in growth and employment.
12:08 IST, October 29th 2018