Will the Coup Trial Ruling Spell Trouble for Bolsonaro and His Supporters? Discover What’s Next!

Joy erupted in several parts of Rio de Janeiro after Brazil’s Supreme Court decided to put former president Jair Bolsonaro on trial for allegedly plotting a coup. One delighted resident even shouted, “No amnesty!” from his balcony, celebrating the ruling in the warm autumn sun.

In Niterói, composer Edu Krieger felt so relieved by the verdict that he created a parody song inspired by a bossa nova classic, celebrating what he sees as the end of Bolsonaro’s disastrous leadership. He reflected on the widespread relief among many Brazilians who suffered under Bolsonaro’s presidency, known for threatening culture and human rights.

Further north, Júnior Hekurari, a leader of the Yanomami people, expressed satisfaction with the ruling. Under Bolsonaro, he claimed his community faced abandonment and violence from illegal miners, which led to severe environmental damage. Hekurari criticized Bolsonaro’s negligence, highlighting how it deepened the crisis his people endured during that period.

As Bolsonaro prepares for trial later this year, the future looks uncertain for him. If convicted, he might face over 40 years in prison for attempting to thwart the presidential power transfer to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Supreme Court Justice Cármen Lúcia Antunes Rocha, who voted for the trial, fiercely condemned the authoritarianism Bolsonaro allegedly supported, stating, “Dictatorship kills.”

Despite the legal troubles, Bolsonaro remains defiant. He recently spoke to reporters, maintaining his innocence amid accusations. However, observers like Maria Cristina Fernandes noted he seems lost and lacks a clear strategy to regain power. She pointed out that when he recently called for a rally in Rio, just 18,000 supporters showed up, far from the million he expected.

Fernandes believes this pattern indicates that the public is eager to move on from Bolsonaro, who may not have the political clout he once did. In contrast, political columnist Bernardo Mello Franco cautioned against counting him out entirely, referencing past political comebacks, like Lula’s resurgence after imprisonment.

Mello Franco underscored a critical point: “In Brazil, we can never say someone’s politically dead.” The unpredictable nature of politics means Bolsonaro’s story may not be over yet, despite this recent ruling.

This situation echoes larger trends. As recent surveys show, social media plays a huge role in shaping political narratives. Many still harbor far-right ideologies, suggesting that while Bolsonaro’s time may be fading, the ideas he amplified are far from extinct. Krieger warned that these extremist thoughts trace back centuries, rooted in Brazil’s colonial history and systemic inequalities.

As the case unfolds, it could further highlight the complex relationship Brazilians have with their leaders and the ongoing battle against divisive politics.

For more insights into the political landscape in Brazil, you can read more from BBC News.

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