Bolsonaro takes responsibility for reopening economy

President Jair Bolsonaro has once again argued that Brazil should resume economic activity, recognizing that he could be jeopardizing his political future. During the inauguration ceremony of newly-appointed Health Minister Nelson Teich, Mr. Bolsonaro said “history will judge” his decision.

“And I ask God to show us we were right in the future,” the president said. “This fight to start reopening business is a risk that I take because if [the crisis] gets worse it will be on me. But I believe there are many people who are already aware that we need to reopen [businesses]”. He also criticized local governments’ decisions to penalize those who break the quarantine. Mr. Bolsonaro said he would not encourage civil disobedience, but said “such measures need to be repelled” by all Brazilians.

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