Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro won’t share coronavirus test results, setting stage for constitutional crisis
- President says he tested negative, twice, but refuses to share actual documents
- Issue is testing limits of Bolsonaro’s power as he faces off against nation’s courts and other democratic institutions
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he twice tested negative for the coronavirus but many, including a federal judge, are demanding he share the actual results. Still, the leader has refused.
The surreal stand-off is the latest flashpoint in a broader battle between a president who has repeatedly tested the limits of his power and democratic institutions. There are concerns that as Bolsonaro pushes back, it could spark a constitutional crisis.
Bolsonaro has consistently downplayed the coronavirus pandemic and has fiercely criticised efforts by governors and mayors to impose measures to control the virus’ spread, instead advocating for most people to get back to work.
But the courts have repeatedly curtailed him – on this issue and others: they ruled that governors and mayors have the power to determine shutdown measures, overturned the president’s decree allowing religious gatherings, are trying to force the release of his Covid-19 test results to put to rest speculation he may have lied, and recently struck down his pick for federal police director.
Bolsonaro’s supporters have denounced the decisions as part of a plot to derail his presidency, and the president himself says he is a victim of meddling by obstructionist judges.