Rioting and Vandalism Against State Institutions in Brasilia

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• Who are the people who rioted in Brasilia?
• What has the Brazilian government said?
• Why are comparisons being made with the events of January 6, 2021, in the United States?
• What is the electoral system of Brazil?

 

Why in news?

• The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his concern about the news of rioting and vandalism against the State institutions in Brasilia.
• Recently, the supporters of far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro, who lost last year’s presidential election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, rioted in Brazil’s capital city.

 

News Summary: Rioting and Vandalism Against State Institutions in Brasilia

• Recently, thousands of supporters of Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro stormed the country’s Congress, Supreme Court, and presidential offices in the capital Brasilia.
• Indian PM Modi, in a tweet, raised concerns about the events, and said Democratic traditions must be respected by everyone.

 

Who are the people who rioted in Brasilia?

• They are supporters of the far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro, who lost last year’s presidential election narrowly to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
  • Under Brazil's election rules, if no candidate in the elections for president and governors receives more than 50% of the vote, there will be a second round.
  • In the recent election, held in October 2022, none of the contesting candidates was able to secure at least 50% of the votes.
  • Hence, the top two - leftist former leader Lula and incumbent far-right president Bolsonaro - advance to a second-round election, held on Oct. 30.
  • After the second round, Lula da Silva narrowly defeated President Jair Bolsonaro in a run-off election.
  • The Supreme Electoral Court declared Mr. Lula the next President, with 50.9% of votes against 49.1% for Mr. Bolsonaro.
• Bolsonaro’s supporters had demanded that the Brazilian military step in and prevent President Lula from assuming charge of the country on January 1.
  • Bolsonaro had long claimed that Brazil’s election system was rotten with fraud, and that the entrenched elite was plotting to remove him from power.
  • Although, Bolsonaro had been quiet, his supporters are convinced that the establishment, elites, and the media had stolen the election.
• After Lula was inaugurated, they carried out an online campaign to mobilise people to gather at the seats of government and justice on January 8 for a mass demonstration.

 

What has the Brazilian government said?

• President Lula blamed Bolsonaro squarely for the violence, saying he triggered it.
• The President invoked emergency powers allowing the federal government to take “any measures necessary” to restore order in the capital.

 

Why are comparisons being made with the events of January 6, 2021, in the United States?

• Supporters of former President Donald Trump had stormed US Congress on 6 January 2021 in a bid to thwart the certification of Joe Biden's election victory.
• In Brasilia as in Washington DC, the rioters who took over the seat of government in the capital were supporters of defeated presidents — Donald Trump in the case of the US.
• In both the cases, these rioters believed the election had been stolen from their leader.
• While Trump had incited rioters, Jair did not. But both of them have been peddling fake news and false claims of electoral fraud to their followers.

 

What is the electoral system of Brazil?

• Brazil is a presidential republic. The president and state governors are elected by an absolute majority with a run-off election, if necessary. 
• The president and state governors may serve for two consecutive four-year terms.
  • The Constitution does not prohibit a third non-consecutive term. Hence, they may run again after a subsequent four-year term. 
• The Constitution defines three electoral systems for different positions, which are detailed in the Electoral Code:
  • A simple majority system is used to elect senators; 
  • An absolute majority system is used to elect the president and governors; and 
  • A proportional representation system is used to elect federal, federal district and state deputies.
• Elections for the 81-member Federal Senate take place every four years, alternately for one-third and two-thirds of its members.
• Voting is compulsory in Brazil for all those who are literate and aged between 18 and 70. The Electoral Code defines the civil penalties for eligible voters if they fail to vote.
  • People aged 16 to 17 or older than 70 or who cannot read or write can cast a ballot if they wish.

 

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Q1) Is voting compulsory in Brazil?

Voting is compulsory in Brazil for all those who are literate and aged between 18 and 70. The Electoral Code defines the civil penalties for eligible voters if they fail to vote.People aged 16 to 17 or older than 70 or who cannot read or write can cast a ballot if they wish.

 

Q2) Where does Brazil lie in South America?

Brazil is the largest country in South America and is located in the central-eastern part of the continent. By far, the largest portion of the country lies south of the equator. Border countries of Brazil are Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

 

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Source: What’s happening in the capital of Brazil: Who tried to take over the seat of government and why?   |   PIB   |  Times of India   |   Aljazeera