In different areas of the world, there is no denying that trust in the government is fading. Many governments have contributed to the lack of trust by using COVID as an opportunity to introduce tight limits on people’s movements, freedoms, and liberties.
There are also growing concerns about the integrity of elections in various communities. This, too, contributes to a lack of trust in a government that many citizens perceive as crooked or willing to put its interest above the will of the people.
This has been seen here in the United States during the January 2021 Capitol riots. To a lesser extent, ongoing debates about the security of US elections also continue.
Now, in Brazil, a similar situation has emerged, according to DW.
What to Know About Problems in Brazil
Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, has a lot of supporters. It also turns out that Bolsonaro’s supporters are not at all pleased with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the newly inaugurated president of Brazil, being in office.
This past Sunday, Bolsonaro loyalists made their displeasure known by forcing their way into the nation’s Congress, rioting, and demanding for military action to restore Bolsonaro’s presidency.
URGENTE: Invasores quebram vidraças da chapelaria do Congresso e invadem a Câmara dos Deputados. Extremistas já estão no Salão Verde e nos anexos do prédio. Também houve invasão ao Palácio do Planalto. Presidente Lula não está no local. pic.twitter.com/lP91pLqTuf
— Renato Souza (@reporterenato) January 8, 2023
Like America’s January 6 rioters, many Bolsonaro supporters maintain their presidential election was stolen and do not consider Lula da Silva to be the rightful president.
Government officials in Brazil have vowed that those who illegally entered the nation’s Congress are going to be held accountable. The endgame for many of these demonstrators was to ultimately put an end to Lula da Silva’s time in office.
To this end, Bolsonaro loyalists have not gotten what they wanted.
A Larger Concern
When even a considerable minority of a nation’s public loses confidence in elections, this is deeply problematic. It ultimately leads to incidents like the January 6 riots and the storming of Congress in Brazil.
Here in the United States, claims of rigged and stolen elections have been denied by both the courts and Americans who do not believe these claims. Nevertheless, the idea that the fix is in has not disappeared and it may not ever.
We condemn the attacks on Brazil's Presidency, Congress, and Supreme Court today. Using violence to attack democratic institutions is always unacceptable. We join @lulaoficial in urging an immediate end to these actions.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 8, 2023
In Brazil, it remains to be seen if the country can take any action to restore confidence in election security. What’s happened could also very well leave a stain on Brazil’s future elections.
There could be more citizens who choose to storm government buildings when the candidate of their choice doesn’t make it across the finish line. At this point, Pandora’s box has been opened and there’s no telling if it can ever truly be shut.
What do you think about the demonstrations that took place in Brazil from members of the public who believe their presidential election was stolen? You can leave your insight and takeaways in the comments area.
This article appeared in The Conservative Brief and has been published here with permission.
