Former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) arrived at the airport in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday night (29) for his return trip to Brazil. While onboarding, he told CNN Brasil that he will travel around the country upon his return, but he will not lead the opposition to President Lula (PT).
Out of Brazil for three months, Bolsonaro did not want to give an interview to Folha, saying that "you talked a lot about me, now, during the elections". "The Liberal party holds almost 20% of the seats in the Congress and the Senate. I say: I will not lead any opposition. I will participate with my party, as a seasoned person, 28 years in the Congress, four as president, two as councilor and 15 in the Army, to collaborate with those who so wish," he told the TV network. He did not respond to Folha's question regarding the summons made by the Federal Police to testify about the case of the jewels gifted by Saudi Arabia.
In the interview with CNN, in the airport's VIP room, Bolsonaro also criticized Lula, said that there's no way the PT administration will work, complained about invasions by the MST ( Landless workers' movement) in recent weeks, and praised the role of the right-wing section of the congress. "Today we have a right wing that is increasingly coalescing, it knows what it wants, it has a target, a goal, it is not an irresponsible opposition, opposition for the sake of the opposition."
He stated that the result of the 2022 election "was quite close", but defined last year's election as a "page turned". He stated that he will, together with the PL, participate in articulations aimed at the 2024 municipal elections and that he intends to make one or two trips around Brazil each month.
Translated by Cassy Dias