Good morning! Today, we discuss the government’s pro-coup declarations. The reignition of a feud between the far-right and the Supreme Court. The cabinet merry-go-round. And why the “third way” is stalling.
Bolsonaro’s presumed VP celebrates 1964 coup
In one of his last actions as Defense Minister, retired General Walter Braga Netto published a statement praising the 1964 military coup as a “milestone of political evolution” for Brazil, which “resulted in the re-establishment of peace in the country and the strengthening of democracy.” His words were a reference to the 58th anniversary of the coup.
- Unsurprisingly, the minister failed to mention the state-sponsored torture and killings carried out by the 21-year-long dictatorship, which also closed Congress and censored the press.
Context. President Jair Bolsonaro has arguably been Brazil’s most vocal supporter of the military dictatorship. He once said the generals’ biggest mistake was “torturing without killing,” and took the congressional stand to defend a known torturer. Last year, his administration went to the courts for the right to celebrate the coup (and won).
Why it matters. Mr. Braga Netto will soon leave the cabinet to make himself eligible for office, and he is Mr. Bolsonaro’s presumed running mate. Both praise the...