‘Trump of the tropics’ Jair Bolsonaro faces reality check on his power and popularity in Brazil
- Supporters of Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro struggled to stage mass demonstrations in cities across the country
- In recent weeks, Bolsonaro has faced massive street protests against his policies, a sharp decline in approval ratings and rising opposition in Congress
Thousands gathered in cities across Brazil to show support for President Jair Bolsonaro, who faces an uncooperative Congress, street protests, a family corruption scandal and falling approval ratings five months into his term.
The stumbling start for the far-right leader who rode a wave of dissatisfaction with Brazil’s political class to an election victory led his backers to call for the demonstrations on Sunday, which represented a mixed bag of demands and protests.
Bolsonaro’s base supporters say Brazil’s institutions are not letting the president govern. Some called for the closure of Congress and the Supreme Court.
Protesters in Rio called for “military intervention” as in 1964 when a military coup ushered in decades of army rule in Brazil.
Bolsonaro, who earlier in his political career said he would close Congress if he were ever president, told reporters Friday he didn’t support calls to close institutions.
“That would not be good for Brazil,” he said.