Coronavirus in Brazil: Bolsonaro camps on its positions despite the milestone of 100,000 dead
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
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
Read moreWith 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
Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribeFollow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR- Brazil
- Coronavirus
- Jair Bolsonaro
On the same subject
Coronavirus: Brazil crosses 100,000 dead mark
Brazil: despite the coronavirus, President Jair Bolsonaro regains popularity
Coronavirus: Brazil re-authorizes the arrival of foreigners by plane