Storming of Congress in Brasilia: A monstrous, pathetic action

The fact that rioters were able to penetrate so deeply into the heart of the government district shows how fragile the situation in Brazil is, says Ute Brucker. This is also your own fault. Lula must therefore not fall into old patterns.

Seen in the end, it was an outrageous, but also somehow pathetic action. Thousands of rioters stage an attempted coup on a Sunday, the government buildings are empty and the new president is already in office – unlike in Washington back then.

Today it appears that the action did more harm than good to former President Jair Bolsonaro’s camp. First politicians from his environment set themselves apart from him. The fact that there was even a Brazilian remake of “Storming the Capitol,” that rioters were able to penetrate so deeply into the heart of the government district — it shows how fragile the situation in Brazil is.

catch false slogans

The dé·jà vu came with the announcement and was still not prevented. Slogans of lies about an allegedly “false election” caught the attention of Bolsonaro’s supporters and apparently in parts of the security circles who stood by and did nothing. Lula, the new and former president, can’t be too safe, his majority in the elections was a razor thin.

This is also your own fault. In Brazil, the memory of the major corruption cases from Lula’s first term in office is still wide awake. The fact that he has now increased the number of ministries by 14 to an impressive 37 can make you suspicious.

Support is required internationally

Lula must not fall into old patterns, the stakes are too high for the Brazilians. Support is required internationally.

After Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, other high-ranking German politicians are apparently traveling to Brazil soon. They want to forge alliances on the world stage, maybe energy partnerships – important and right. However, those who mean well by Brazil in the long term are well advised to take a critical look at the new president.