Earlier this year, Brazil’s electoral authorities invited observers from the European Union to monitor the October elections. The unprecedented move was seen as an attempt to shield the electronic voting process from President Jair Bolsonaro’s constant attacks against it. But Brazilian diplomats pushed against the initiative, and the invitation was recently dropped.
Now, the Senate could bypass the government and extend the invitation itself, according to reports from Folha de S.Paulo columnist Monica Bergamo — a move that reportedly has the approval of Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco.
The decision would come as Mr. Pacheco tries to counter President Bolsonaro’s push to discredit the electoral system and the Supreme Court. A mild-mannered politician, the Senate President has talked to justices and military court leaders in order to smooth over institutional tensions.