RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The government of President Jair Bolsonaro follows the Constitution and poses no risk to democracy, despite all the indications of a rupture by Bolsonaro and his peers.
“Our democracy is in full operation, all institutions work independently,” says Vice-President Hamilton Mourão, a reserve General who today heads the Amazon Council, a group of Ministries created to discuss forest protection efforts.
In a 25-minute video interview with international media outlets on Wednesday, where only two questions could be asked per journalist, Mourão rejected any threat of a coup or auto-coup, and downplayed the attacks on Brazilian democracy promoted from within the government itself.
When asked about the President’s intention to arm the population, Mourão replied “it is not in the Brazilian culture to have weapons”. As to the actions of the President’s supporters, who protest against the Federal Supreme Court and call for military intervention,Mourão said “they are much more rhetoric than acctions against institutions.”