Le Monde: 'Bolsonaro's conviction is exemplary for democracy'
An editorial in the French newspaper Le Monde says that the Supreme Court's decision "reminds us that the principle of democracy is that the exercise of power depends on the verdict of the ballot box."
247 - the french newspaper Le Monde published this Saturday (13) an editorial in which it classifies as “exemplary” the conviction of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) to 27 years and 3 months in prison for leading a criminal organization that attempted a coup d'état in Brazil. The text emphasizes that the sentence, handed down on Thursday (11) by the Supreme Federal Court (STF), represents a moment of institutional maturity in a country that lived with a military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985.
According to the editorial, the conviction for attempted coup after the electoral defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) in October 2022 reinforces the notion that "the exercise of power depends on the ballot box and not on the destruction of institutions." "This conviction is exemplary, regardless of the efforts of Jair Bolsonaro's supporters to pass an amnesty law. It reminds everyone of what should be obvious: the first principle of democracy is that the exercise of power depends on the verdict of the ballot box, and certainly not on the plundering of institutions."
International repercussions and criticism from the US.
Still according to the Le MondeThe decision – "regrettably" – was immediately criticized by the United States government. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the Brazilian judiciary of conducting a "witch hunt" and engaging in "political persecution." He also threatened to impose new sanctions against Brasília, adding to the trade surcharges already imposed by the current US president, Donald Trump, amidst pressure on Brazilian magistrates.
The editorial warns that such a stance could push Brazil toward an even closer relationship with China, due to growing tensions with Washington.
O Le Monde The article also draws a parallel with US politics, noting that Donald Trump aggressively contested his defeat in the 2020 election without presenting evidence of fraud. Unlike Brazil, the Americans did not take the case to trial. The newspaper also highlights that Trump pardoned those involved in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, a gesture seen as an "outrage against democracy."
The challenge of reconciliation in Brazil
The editorial quotes Minister Alexandre de Moraes, rapporteur of the case at the Supreme Federal Court (STF), who stated: “History teaches us that impunity, inaction, and cowardice do not lead to pacification.” For the French newspaper, although Bolsonaro's conviction symbolizes a democratic advance, the episode exposed the deep political divisions that persist in Brazil. The challenge now, it concludes. Le MondeThe goal is to achieve national reconciliation amidst polarization and the legacy of a government marked by environmental and health crises.
