Coronavirus in Brazil: Bolsonaro camps on its positions despite the milestone of 100,000 dead

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Brazil exceeded the milestone of 100,000 deaths due to Covid-19 this weekend. Many tributes were paid to the victims and their families. President Jair Bolsonaro preferred to play the controversial card.

Publicity

With our correspondent in São Paulo, Martin Bernard

"  I regret all the deaths, whatever the cause,  " Jair Bolsonaro said, not to mention the coronavirus. The Brazilian president tried to play down the crisis, while accusing the media of adding to it, and of "  celebrating the 100,000 dead mark in a cowardly and disrespectful way, as if it were a world cup final  " .

The day before, the president himself had welcomed the victory of his favorite team in the final of the local football championship. He accuses supporters of confinement of causing a serious economic crisis without succeeding in reducing the number of victims.

But if on the one hand, this “Jair Bolsonaro negationism” is highly criticized, it also seems to guarantee it a certain popularity. According to a recent poll, his government's action has the support of 45% of those polled, and his personal rating is also on the rise thanks to a financial aid program for tens of millions of Brazilians.

► To read also: Brazil facing the coronavirus: authoritarianism and politics of denial

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• Brazil
• Coronavirus
• Jair Bolsonaro

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