New political storm in Brazil: dispute over printed ballots heats up – coup, threats, lies

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies President Arthur Lira (PP-AL) on Thursday (22) denied a report in the newspaper “O Estado de S. Paulo”, considered a newspaper of record, that he was advised by a party leader that Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto had threatened there would be no elections in 2022 if the constitutional amendment (PEC) regarding “Printed Ballots” was not approved.

“Lies”, Lira responded via message to Valor newspaper without providing further details.

According to the report, Braga Netto reportedly warned a party leader who told him “to whom it may concern” that there would be no elections in 2022 if there were no printed and “verifiable” votes – the constitutional amendment proposal (PEC) advocated by President Jair Bolsonaro that electronic ballot boxes must print the vote for verification.

Braga Netto, accompanied by the commanders of the three armed forces, is said to have been given the speech, and Bolsonaro is said to have repeated it publicly to supporters at the entrance of the Alvorada Palace on the same day, July 8.

The newspaper text says that the party leader brought the matter to Lira, who tried to tell Bolsonaro that he would not accept a coup against democracy.

Bolsonaro’s statement triggered public speeches by the Senate President, Rodrigo Pacheco (DEM-MG), and a post by Lira on Twitter to defend democracy and elections.

Despite the Chamber president’s denial, Valor newspaper claims to have found out from parliamentarians and sources in Congress that Lira and Pacheco had apparently received the news about the threat and therefore reacted publicly – because this time it was not “simple” bravado, as claimed by Bolsonaro supporters.

The article in the’ O Estado de S. Paulo’ newspaper generated accusations from allied parliamentarians and the opposition, who demanded a response from Lira and the defense minister. “Terrible this political militancy of the leadership. Instead of defending the country, they threaten it?” wrote the president of the Workers’ Party, Deputy Gleisi Hoffmann (PR).

Deputy Dayane Pimentel (PSL-BA), from the party wing that broke with Bolsonaro, called again on Twitter for his departure. “I wanted to know if the coup of 2022 is already being rehearsed and if the Armed Forces, which I defended so much, will be a stage for extremists, bandits, corruption, and militiamen,” she said.

Chamber Vice President Rep. Marcelo Ramos (PL-AM) said in a statement that it is not the military that decides whether or not there is an election in a democracy, but the Constitution, which they have sworn to defend and fulfill. “If this episode has really occurred, the defense minister has broken his military oath and started a coup that must be fought hard by society, the powers, and democratic institutions,” he said.

The PEC of the printed ballot will be voted on August 5 in the special committee of the House, and the result will probably be a rejection of the measure after the ruling parties indicated their confidence in the reliability of electronic ballot boxes.

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