Ten months before the first round of the national elections, the digital networks of Bolsonaro supporters have shown strength in recent weeks by organizing a successful campaign for the Brazilian president to be chosen in a popular vote as "Personality of the Year" by the American magazine Time.
The result was announced on Tuesday (7), with 24% of the votes cast on the magazine's website for Jair Bolsonaro (PL), well ahead of second place, former US president Donald Trump (9%).
Several celebrities, such as the American singer Britney Spears, competed in a poll that had no limit of votes per person, which helped to increase the margin obtained by Bolsonaro.
One supporter told one group that he had voted "about ten times." There were 2.16 million votes for the president.
The choice made by Internet users is different from that made by Time's editors, which are considered more relevant. This announcement will be made on Monday (13).
Even so, the popular choice was celebrated by Bolsonaro and his followers, who are now pushing the publication for endorsement by the editors.
Bolsonaro himself has already urged Time to "respect the election result."
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon