Thousands of people demonstrate in main cities of Brazil to demand the impeachment of Bolsonaro

The protests in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Sao Paulo and Brasilia, in addition to a hundred cities, were called by the “National Out with Bolsonaro Campaign”, supported by a dozen left-wing parties, trade union centers and the Direitos Já group. ! which brings together the leaders of 19 banks.

Although the protests gained more party support than in past mobilizations, right-wing groups that broke with the government refused to participate.

Despite the fact that the red flags of the left-wing groups dominated the marches, they were joined for the first time, albeit timidly, by those of the central formations., like the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB), of former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, and the Democratic Party of Labor (PDT), of former Minister Ciro Gomes, which was the third most voted candidate in the presidential elections of 2018.

Although the organizers have made every effort to try to make the protests supra-partisan and to welcome the activists of the center, the vast majority have made no secret of their preference for former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the main political rival. of Bolsonaro and who runs all of them with a large advantage the polls of voting intentions for the presidential election of October 2, 2022.

In the central Candelaria district of Rio de Janeiro, hundreds of people marched with banners indicating “Out with Bolsonaro” and flags of the Workers’ Party (PT), of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), the Democratic Labor Party (PDT), the Communist Party (PC do B), among others.

“We are going to get him out, the bet of those present in the streets is that we are going to put pressure on parliamentarians and end up asking for the dismissal” of Bolsonaro, said Elizabeth Simoes, retired teacher of 69 years . AFP.

In the Chamber of Deputies, more than a hundred impeachment demands against Bolsonaro are pending, but its president Arthur Lira, a government ally, has given signs that they will not be dealt with.

In the rallies, a wider range of flags were seen, not only the reds of the PT which usually predominate, with banners of the Central Unica de Trabajadores (CUT), the LGBT movement and that of Brazil, used as a symbol in the pro steps. -Bolsonaro.

“Broad front, impeachment now” read on the banners.

Besieged by judicial inquiries, inflation, unemployment and chaotic management of the pandemic that kills nearly 600,000, Bolsonaro’s popularity has fallen in recent months to 22%, its lowest level since taking office in January 2019.

“Everything is very expensive, it’s Bolsonaro’s fault,” we can read on banners in El Salvador or next to an inflatable gas cylinder in Rio.

One year away from the 2022 elections, the far-right president would get 26% of the vote in the first round, compared to 44% for Lula, according to a survey by the Datafolha Institute on September 17.

This week, the president focused on celebrating his 1,000 days in office with events and inaugurations, putting aside attacks on institutions he has nurtured for weeks, including the judiciary.

Saturday’s protests come after Bolsonaro led massive protests in Brasilia and Sao Paulo on September 7, where some 125,000 supporters gathered.

In cities like Sao Paulo and Brasilia, mobilisations are expected from 5:00 p.m. GMT.

The first lady, in the sights of Justice

Opposition MP Marcelo Freixo This Friday he asked the public prosecutor to investigate a suspected influence peddling case that I could have incurred Michelle bolsonaro, wife of the Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.

Freixo, of the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), justified this request in a report published this Friday by the magazine Crusoe, according to The first lady is said to have exerted her influence to ensure that companies of friends and far-right activists have access to subsidized loans from the Caixa Económica Federal.

The same time, the conservative Novo party has requested an explanation on this subject from the Ministry of the Economy, on which this public bank depends.

According to Crusoe, who obtained official documents on some of the cases, The credits were part of special plans the government adopted last year in an attempt to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small and medium-sized businesses..

“The office of the first lady, Michelle Bolsonaro, asked the Caixa Económica Federal, operator of the government-subsidized aid scheme, to take care of a small group of companies.», Specifies the magazine.

Among the beneficiaries of these alleged maneuvers are the The first lady’s private hairdresser, her “favorite” florist, “the confectioner who provides her with desserts”, an event organizer which organizes family celebrations and some companies in the fashion industry who have her as a client.

In some documents obtained by Crusoe, which include emails, requests for acceleration of credits, addressed to the address of the bank, specifying that the matter had already been discussed by telephone “by Ms. Michelle and Mr. Pedro Guimaraes», President of la Caixa.

“It was such an unusual event that the bank’s own auditors discovered it in no time.”, When detecting this Crusoe qualify “VIP List“Candidate companies.

“First lady’s VIP list received VIP treatment from the bank“, Adds the magazine, according to which the orders were processed with a” strange “speed.

President Bolsonaro has remained silent on the matter, as has the first lady, which had already been peppered with other corruption issues in the past that are said to be some of the president’s three children from a previous marriage.

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