No date yet, the future judgment of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) has been gaining international headlines since he became a defendant last week by decision of the first class of the Supreme Court (STF).
World press vehicles have been leaning over the details of the inquiry into the alleged attempt to coup against the results of the 2022 elections.
An analysis of the British newspaper Financial Times, a reference for financial markets, classified the former president’s trial as “risky.”
In a special report signed by Michael Stott and Michael Pook from Brasilia, the publication states that Bolsonaro’s alleged crimes represent a “complô with military support to overthrow one of the greatest democracies in the world.”
Comparisons with Donald Trump
The newspaper highlights the potential of the former president’s trial to divide Brazil and increase Bolsonaro’s popularity, compared to another right leader Donald Trump.
According to the Financial Times, there is a similarity with what happened to the Republican after January 6, 2021, when supporters of the US head of state invaded the US Legislature’s capitol to try to prevent Joe Biden’s victory from certification at the polls.
Through political risk consultant Christopher da Cunha Bueno Garman, the FT stresses that the American insurrection did not prevent Trump from returning to the world’s most powerful position. The comparison suggests that Bolsonaro legal problems may not harm its popularity, as happened with the republican in the US.
In addition, there is a mention that Bolsonaro’s trial can make him a martyr.
Divided Brazil
Regarding the division mentioned in Brazil because of the trial, the British newspaper highlights a survey last week of the Atlasintel. The data show that 51% of Brazilians heard believe that Bolsonaro has planned a blow and 48% believe he is innocent. FT treats this point as the central question of the future judgment against Bolsonaro.
Reflections on the STF
Even in portraying the accusations against the former president as a “plot” to “overthrow one of the greatest democracies in the world,” the Financial Times has pondered that the Supreme Court is an “institution that has accumulated extraordinary power over the past decade” and still refers to Minister Alexandre de Moraes as “one of the most controversial (Supreme) judges.”
The report acknowledges that Minister Alexandre de Moraes was one of the “supposed victims of the plot” but that at the same time “launched the investigation into the plan and was part of the group of magistrates who agreed to listen to the case and will now help judge Bolsonaro.”
The newspaper also admits that the “Supreme Court has lost in recent years the credibility in the eyes of the population”, citing a survey of the power of December last year. The data brought show that 43% of respondents described the conduct of the court as “bad or terrible.”
Bolsonaro version
The Financial Times also dedicates a part of the report to Jair Bolsonaro’s defense arguments, showing that the former president believes that the judiciary is “totally aligned” to Lula. The newspaper echoes similar ideas of Bolsonarist allies in the United States, who claim that “it is not justice, it is about eliminating political competition through a judicial war.” FT reproduces Bolsonaro’s speech that he says he believes there is “something personal” against him.
Impacts in 2026
The influence of Bolsonaro’s future judgment on the 2026 election in Brazil is also a point addressed by the report. According to the British publication, the case will launch a “long shadow” about next year’s presidential elections, with the potential of a former popular president being arrested and ineligible, infuriating supporters, as happened with Lula in 2018.
This content was originally published in Bolsonaro trial can be “risky,” says Financial Times on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
