Bolsonaro Challenges Congress, Points to Hysteria in Fighting Covid-19

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – President Jair Bolsonaro criticized Congress’ interest in controlling some R$15 billion in the 2020 Budget and ordered the presidents of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, and the Chamber, Rodrigo Maia, to take to the streets.

In an interview with CNN Brasil on Sunday, March 15th, Bolsonaro also referred to the measures implemented in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, which had already infected 200 people in Brazil by early evening, as “extremism” and “hysteria”.

Bolsonaro was harshly criticized by legislators -including Maia and Alcolumbre- for having encouraged demonstrations in favor of his government and against Congress and the STF (Supreme Federal Court).

The presidents of the Chamber and Senate released notes early in the evening condemning the behavior of the President who, ignoring medical warnings, was present in the demonstration that took place earlier in Brasília. Bolsonaro’s interview was given following the two deputies’ statements.

“I would like them to take to the streets like I did. The answer is this. We politicians have a responsibility and must be slaves to the popular will. They should take to the streets, these two deputies. I respect them both, I have no quarrel with them. They’re giving their criticisms, I’m comfortable with that. I hope they don’t intend to start something combative after my words here,” said Bolsonaro.

“Now, dear David Alcolumbre, dear Rodrigo Maia, do you want to take to the streets? Go out into the streets and see how you are greeted,” continued the President.

Bolsonaro said that Sunday’s protests had not been his initiative, but rather a voluntary demonstration by the population “tired of being weaned, tired of seeing certain things that are not good for the public, for instance, the sharing of R$15 billion, in which the Budget is a matter for the President of the Republic to implement, as everyone knows”.

He mentioned half of the R$30 billion under the control of the rapporteur for the 2020 Budget, Deputy Domingos Neto. The government made an agreement with Congress and Bolsonaro submitted three bills that govern the Tax Budget and divide these resources between the Executive and Legislative, providing approximately R$15 billion for each.

Bolsonaro reiterated what he had already said twice during a live broadcast earlier in the afternoon, when he met demonstrators who gathered to see him at the Planalto Palace. He said that no agreement between himself, Maia and Alcolumbre is required, but rather between them and the people.

“There needn’t be agreements between us, in air-conditioned offices. They must be made between us and the people. I want Rodrigo Maia’s closeness, I want David Alcolumbre’s closeness. I respect both deputies. As I have said on more than one occasion, if we come to a good understanding and start on an agenda of interest to the population, we will all be well looked at, recognized and even idolized in the streets. That’s what I want. I don’t want to be the one to show up, while they don’t. Quite the contrary,” he said.

Bolsonaro also said he was willing to meet Maia and Alcolumbre on Monday, March 16th, at the Alvorada Palace -the official residence of the Presidency of the Republic- or in Congress.

“Let’s talk and let’s drop any quibbling that might exist. Brazil is above the three of us,” said Bolsonaro.

Although members of the government close to Bolsonaro are infected with the new coronavirus, the President again minimized the effects of the Covid-19.

“Many will catch this no matter how much care they take. This will happen sooner or later. We must respect it, take the appropriate sanitary measures, but we cannot get caught in a neurotic situation, as if it were the end of the world,” he said.

He also hinted at economic and political interests in the measures to try to contain the virus from spreading.

About a decade ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an H1N1 flu pandemic, known as swine flu. “In 2009, 2010, there was a similar crisis, but here in Brazil, the Workers’ Party was in power and in the United States it was the Democrats, and the reaction wasn’t even close to what’s happening worldwide,” said Bolsonaro.

To face the pandemic, governors have decreed the temporary closure of highly crowded venues, such as movie houses and theaters, and the suspension of school activities.

According to the President, the ban on football matches is a step toward extremism.

Bolsonaro advocates that these measures be analyzed from the perspective of their impact on economic activity. As a result, the government will create a crisis cabinet to assess the impact of measures to contain the virus on the economy.

In addition, he suggested that the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) allow at least part of the tickets to be sold, thus partially freeing access to the matches.

“Because it will not, in my opinion, contain the spread in this very rigid way. We must take action because it may indeed become a very serious issue in Brazil, but without hysteria,” said the President.

In his opinion, measures such as the closure of stadiums will increase unemployment.

“Unemployment leads people who are no longer able to feed themselves well to feed themselves even worse, then they will become more vulnerable, once they are infected they may eventually die”.