Brazil’s ex-president Bolsonaro condemns election ban as thousands rally behind him
- Jair Bolsonaro gathered supporters in Brazil’s biggest city in a show of strength
- Former president is being investigated for January 8, 2023 insurrection attempt
Thousands of Brazilians poured into the streets of Sao Paulo on Sunday as ex-president Jair Bolsonaro flexed his political muscle and hit out at an election ban that has seen him barred from seeking office for eight years.
Addressing a massive crowd of supporters in the economic capital, Bolsonaro again denied charges he plotted a coup to stay in power after losing an election in October 2022.
“What is a coup? Tanks in the streets, weapons, conspiracy. None of that happened in Brazil,” said Bolsonaro, who has had his passport seized by police as he and his inner circle are investigated.
“We cannot accept that an authority can eliminate whoever it may be from the political scene, unless it is for a fair reason,” he said.
In June, the electoral tribunal barred Bolsonaro from running for office until 2030 over his attacks on the election system.
