Bolsonaro breaks silence, thanks votes, says he will respect the Constitution, but does not admit defeat

Hours late and accompanied by a staff of ministers, the president defeated at the polls, Jair Bolsonaro, made a statement to the press full of contradictions: at the same time as he claimed to respect the Constitution, he said that the protests across the country are a response to “ how the electoral process took place.”

“I have been labeled as undemocratic and, contrary to the accusers, always play within the four lines of the Constitution. I will continue to comply with the commandments of the Constitution,” said Bolsonaro.

Before, however, the president thanked – for the first time – the 58 million votes which he received last Sunday (30) and justified the demonstrations taking place across the country:

“The current popular movements are the result of indignation and a feeling of injustice regarding how the electoral process took place.".

The president said that peaceful demonstrations will always be welcome, on the other hand he indirectly condemned acts that prevent the population from coming and going.

“Our methods cannot be those of the left that have always harmed the population, such as invasion of property, destruction of property and restriction of the right to come and go”, stated the president”, he added.

Bolsonaro repeated the integralist motto – Brazilian fascism – “God Country and Family“, he said he never spoke about controlling the press and concluded by stating that the right emerged “for real in our country", with "robust representation in congress shows strength of values” .

“We are for order and progress, even against the system we face”, concluded Bolsonaro.

“Authorized” government transition, says Ciro Nogueira

Shortly after Bolsonaro's brief speech, Ciro Nogueira took the microphone at the pulpit to talk about the government transition, a topic that was not addressed by the president.

“President Jair Bolsonaro authorized, when provoked, based on the law, to begin the transition process,” said the minister.

“PT president [Gleisi Hoffmann], according to her on behalf of President Lula, said that on Thursday the name of vice-president Geraldo Alckmin will be formalized. We will wait for this to be formalized to comply with the law of our country”, added Nogueira.

Acts against democracy: see the repercussions of the Bolsonarist demonstrations against the election results

Jurists, politicians and even representatives of truck drivers and highway police consider that the road closures and demonstrations by Jair Bolsonaro supporters are an affront to democracy. Truck driver leaders claim that there is no strike in the category and that blockades are being carried out by Bolsonaro's followers. Federation that represents members of the PRF says that Bolsonaro's silence about defeat at the polls encourages protests.