First busy week for Brazilian Bolsonaro



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It was a busy first week for Brazil's elected President, Jair Bolsonaro, who showed his determination to implement his conservative agenda on crime, corruption and the economy – and unleashed more than one controversial.

Here's a glimpse of what the former right-wing army captain, who will take office on Jan. 1, has accomplished since Sunday's elections.

– Conservative Cabinet –

Bolsonaro, who wants to cut the number of departments from 29 to 15, has announced five cabinet choices so far, mostly political outsiders. The aides say that 80% of the firm is already aligned.

– The ultra free market economist Paulo Guedes will lead a "super department" bringing together the portfolios of finance, planning, industry and commerce.

– General Augusto Heleno, instructor of the Bolsonaro Military Academy, will be Minister of Defense.

– Astronaut Marcos Pontes, the first Brazilian in space, will be the Minister of Science.

– Sergio Moro, anti-corruption judge of the crusade, will be minister of justice.

– Seeking to balance the political inexperience of the rest, veteran lawmaker Onyx Lorenzoni will be the chief of staff.

Bolsonaro is bogged down in controversy and demoted while he was forming his government.

The president's solution to everything that is economic is to entrust Guedes with the hero of the business world – but some warn that his new "super ministry" is so big that it will be "impossible to manage", as the Wrote the financial newspaper Valor.

Meanwhile, Moro – who has jailed former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva – has been criticized by some for his decision to get into politics in a government. from the far right.

"Moro has irreversibly compromised his independence as a judge," said Brazil's leading newspaper, Folha de Sao Paulo.

And after several reversals, Bolsonaro canceled its decision to merge the Ministries of Agriculture and the Environment, which, according to critics, would sell Brazil's natural resources to its agribusinesses.

– Radical policies –

After dodging the thorny issue of pension reform late in the campaign, Bolsonaro confirmed that he would tackle Brazil's "monstrous deficit" by reshaping his hypertrophied pension system.

Markets require reforms, but it is a political minefield.

In Brazil, the retirement age can be as low as 50 for women and 55 for men.

"If we try to change it at 65, chances are we will fail, so we will target 62," said Bolsonaro.

It remains to be seen if he can get meaningful reform through Congress, where his party will not have the majority.

Bolsonaro has also doubled its desire to relax gun control laws so that "good people" can do justice to themselves.

Criminals, he said, "will be held responsible, either by law or by being put to death".

His future defense minister has meanwhile supported a plan for the use of snipers to shoot armed suspects, even when police lives are not in danger.

– Diplomatic tour –

Abolishing the "south-south" diplomacy of former president Lula, Bolsonaro wants closer ties with the United States.

He will make his first trips abroad to Chile, the United States and Israel – countries that "share our vision of the world," said Lorenzoni.

In the footsteps of President Donald Trump, whom he admires, Bolsonaro confirmed Thursday that he would move the Brazilian Embbady to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, defying the Palestinians and the international consensus.

He also met the Italian right-wing Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who warmly congratulated him on his victory and asked him to extradite the "red terrorist" Cesare Battisti.

The ex-far-left activist, convicted of murder in absentia in Italy, has fled to Brazil under Lula.

The son of Bolsonaro, Eduardo, legislator, tweeted to Salvini: "The gift is on the way."

– Difficult press relations –

Bolsonaro was accused of attacking independent media during his early days.

Speaking after the elections, he declared his attachment to the free press – then immediately told Folha, the largest Brazilian daily: "This newspaper is over."

"As far as I'm concerned, the scandalous media will not get any money from the federal government (advertising)," he said, apparently annoyed by Folha's reports about allegations. violations of the law on campaign financing and misuse of public funds.

International groups for press freedom have condemned his statements.

– Break the mold –

Bolsonaro's communication strategy – or lack thereof – is unique in the history of Brazil.

He made three distinct victory speeches on Sunday night: twice on Facebook and one on television, after praying with his wife in front of the camera.

He made some of his most important political ads on social media.

Other important announcements were made by councilors in front of his home or by that of the rich contributor Paulo Marinho, privileged meeting place of his entourage.

The elected president of the Brazilian far right Jair Bolsonaro wants to reduce the number of ministries from 29 to 15

The newly elected president's new cabinet, Jair Bolsonaro, includes (clockwise, top left) astronaut Marcos Pontes, congressman Onyx Lorenzoni, General Augusto Heleno and the Economist Paulo Guedes.

Brazilian Judge Sergio Moro criticized his decision to get into politics in a far-right government

The campaign promises of Bolsonaro

Bolsonaro is an admirer of US President Donald Trump

Bolsonaro was accused of attacking independent media in Brazil while he was engaged in the free press

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