Brazil: Bolsonaro does not want to be leader of the opposition

After three months in the United States, former Brazilian President Bolsonaro has returned home. Before his arrival, he made it clear that he would not lead the political opposition to President Lula.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has returned to Brazil after three months in the United States. Bolsonaro arrived at Brasilia airport from Orlando, as reported by CNN Brasil. Contrary to expectations, the 68-year-old was not greeted by thousands of supporters, but only by a smaller group, as evidenced by photos and videos.

According to his statements, Bolsonaro does not want to become opposition leader. But he said he would work with his party and he would work with them. In mid-February, he said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that he was aiming for the role of leader of the opposition.

The former right-wing president is expected to head to the headquarters of his liberal party upon his arrival. And tightened security measures in the Brazilian capital, fearing violent demonstrations.

Bolsonaro lost the October 2022 elections

The October presidential election is a closed chapter. Like his political role model, former US President Donald Trump, he never conceded defeat in the October 2022 presidential runoff against left-wing politician Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvani and questioned the outcome. Two days before the end of his term on New Year’s Eve, Bolsonaro flew to the United States with his family, where he has been since. According to media reports, he applied for a six-month tourist visa.

He justified this by saying that he needed to rest. On the other hand, critics say he wanted to avoid investigations against him. Among other things, it concerns his attacks against the Brazilian electoral system, but also his alleged role in encouraging supporters who stormed the Congress, the seat of government and the Supreme Court in Brasília on January 8 and caused great damage.