A panel of judges made a decision on Friday to declare Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right former President of Brazil, ineligible to run for office again. The judges concluded that Bolsonaro had abused his power and spread baseless doubts about the country’s electronic voting system. As a result, Bolsonaro will be banned from running for office until 2030, effectively ending his political career and diminishing his chances of regaining power in the future.
Five judges on the highest electoral court in Brazil agreed that Bolsonaro had abused his authority by using government communication channels to promote his campaign and propagate concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. Two judges dissented from the decision.
Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo, commented, “This decision will put an end to Bolsonaro’s chances of becoming president again, and he knows it.” Melo added that Bolsonaro will likely focus on avoiding legal troubles, securing political allies, but his return to the presidency is highly unlikely.
The case centered around a meeting that took place on July 18, 2022, where Bolsonaro used government resources to allege that the electronic voting system was rigged. Judge Carmen Lucia, who also serves as a Supreme Court justice, emphasized that the facts were indisputable, and there was no denial that the meeting occurred.
Alexandre de Moraes, another Supreme Court justice, characterized the decision as a rejection of “populist discourse fueled by hateful and anti-democratic speech that spreads malicious misinformation.”
Bolsonaro expressed disappointment with the trial, describing it as unfair and politically motivated. He stated that he would consult with his lawyers and acknowledged that life must go on. He condemned the ruling as an attack on Brazilian democracy.
Melo stated that it is highly unlikely that the decision will be overturned. The ruling not only bars Bolsonaro from the next presidential election but also disqualifies him from municipal elections in 2024 and 2028, as well as the general elections in 2026. Bolsonaro also faces other legal issues, including ongoing criminal investigations. If convicted, his ban could be extended, and he may face imprisonment.
While former Presidents Fernando Collor de Mello and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva were previously declared ineligible, Bolsonaro’s case marks the first time a president has been suspended due to electoral violations rather than criminal offenses. Brazilian law prohibits candidates with criminal sentences from running for office.
The ruling received mixed reactions from the public. Maria Maris, an engineer in Rio de Janeiro, celebrated the decision while expressing suspicions of political motivations. However, Katia Caminha, a retiree in Rio de Janeiro, viewed the trial as biased against Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro’s supporters continue to show their loyalty by contributing funds to help him pay fines imposed for violating health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite his influence, political analyst Thomas Traumann noted that Bolsonaro’s decision to spend several months in Florida at the start of Lula’s term weakened him. This is evident in the limited right-wing outrage on social media during the trial and the absence of protests.
As the trial concluded, a trumpeter outside the electoral court played a song that gained popularity during the previous presidential race, signaling a call for Bolsonaro to step aside.
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