World

Election loss 'hurts my soul': Bolsonaro

By AAP Newswire

Dec 10, 2022

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro — Jair Bolsonaro has not yet recognised Brazil President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's victory. -AP

Outgoing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has spoken publicly for the first time about his election defeat on October 30 and talked to supporters calling for a military coup to stop leftist President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office.

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Bolsonaro said he had kept silent for almost 40 days, adding, "it hurts my soul".

"Who decides where I go are you. Who decides which way the armed forces go are you," Bolsonaro told his supporters on Friday at the gates of the presidential residence.

In his ambiguous comments, Bolsonaro did not endorse their call for a military intervention but said the armed forces would respect Brazil's constitution.

He has not recognised Lula's victory in the October elections and his silence encouraged supporters to continue demonstrations outside army bases.

Lula's narrow victory over Bolsonaro will be certified by Brazil's national electoral authority on Monday.

Bolsonaro told his supporters the armed forces were Brazil's bulwark to prevent socialism in the country, adding "nothing is lost" and their cause would prevail one day.

"The armed forces are united. They owe loyalty to our people and respect to the constitution and they are responsible for our freedom," he said.

"Unlike other people, we are going to win."

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press