Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro made an official statement after his election defeat on Tuesday evening, thanking Brazilian voters who voted for him and saying that he will continue to follow the constitution. His chief of staff says that he will begin the process of transition with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. To catch up on the developments as they happened, read our blog below. All times are Paris time (GMT+1).
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9:19pm: Brazil's Bolsonaro says protests must be 'peaceful'
Brazil's outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro said Tuesday that any protests should be "peaceful" and not cause harm, after his supporters blocked roads around the country following his election defeat.
"Peaceful protests will always be welcome. But our methods must not be those of the left, which always harm the population, like invading property... and impeding the right to come and go," he said in his first comments since Sunday's election.
8:58pm: Brazil's Bolsonaro avoids concession to Lula, but transition to begin
Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday avoided conceding defeat to leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in his first public remarks since Sunday's election, saying protests since then were the fruit of "indignation and a sense of injustice" over the vote.
His chief of staff, Ciro Nogueira, speaking after Bolsonaro's brief public address, said they would begin the process of a transition to Lula's government.
8:48pm: Bolsonaro says he will 'comply' with the constitution
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro made an official statement after his election defeat on Tuesday evening, thanking Brazilian voters who voted for him and saying that he will continue to follow the constitution. His chief of staff says that he will begin the process of transition with President Lula.
8:23pm: Truckers jam traffic to protest Bolsonaro loss
Even though the election took place two days ago, Jair Bolsonaro still hasn't made an official statement on his election defeat. FRANCE 24's Jan Onosko says that "there's a feeling here that this is a deliberate attempt by (Bolsonaro) to provoke and aggravate the civil unrest here".
The country is not undergoing a "mass movement". Onosko explains that the protestors that have taken to the streets and are blocking roads are "hardcore, anti-democratic, extreme right Bolsonaro supporters".
7:34pm: Brazil's Bolsonaro to make a statement following election loss
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro is expected to make a statement for the first time since he lost re-election two days ago, the presidency announced Tuesday.
In a short statement, the presidency said Bolsonaro would speak "momentarily," after a lengthy silence that has prompted fears the far-right leader would contest the victory of rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
6:23pm: Lula's running mate Alckmin to manage Brazil's government transition
Brazil's Vice President-elect Geraldo Alckmin will coordinate the transition to the future government led by Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and is aiming to start it on Thursday, the head of Lula's Workers Party, Gleisi Hoffmann, said on Tuesday.
She said she will speak again about the transition with Ciro Nogueira, chief of staff to outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro, who has yet to concede defeat after losing Sunday's tight race to Lula.
The president-elect will take office on Jan. 1.
4:13pm: Brazil's Bolsonaro to speak today, won't contest election result, says minister
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is set to make an official statement on his election defeat later on Tuesday, a minister said, adding that the far-right leader will not contest the results.
Communications Minister Fabio Faria told Reuters that Bolsonaro was expected to meet with Supreme Court justices ahead of his speech. He lost a runoff vote to leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday but has yet to concede.
1:56pm: Bolsonaro supporters block roads for second day
Truckers and other protesters on Tuesday blocked highways for second day in support of Bolsonaro, who has yet to accept his election loss to Lula.
The country’s Federal Highway Police (PRF) reported more than 250 total or partial blockages in at least 23 of Brazil’s 27 states.
On Monday night, protests blocked roads outside Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos airport, the country’s main international hub, and several flights were cancelled, local media reported. These protests have since been dispersed.
Key routes in other cities such as Rio de Janeiro, were also blocked.
A Supreme Court judge on Monday night ordered the “immediate clearing of highways and public roads,” in a statement. The court ordered the PRF to take “all measures” needed to free the roads, threatening to fine or imprison its director for “disobedience” if the order was not carried out.
6:38am: Bolsonaro expected to speak after long silence
President Jair Bolsonaro will not publicly address his defeat in Brazil’s presidential election until Tuesday, his communications minister said, amid doubts over whether the far-right nationalist will accept the victory of his leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro was holding off on making remarks so he could prepare a speech, Communications Minister Fabio Faria told Reuters. But it was not clear if Bolsonaro would concede defeat as his allies were encouraging him to do.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and Reuters)
