Jean-Claude Gérez (correspondent in Brazil), edited by Romain Rouillard 8:22 p.m., October 31, 2022

Since the announcement of Lula's victory in the Brazilian presidential election, the outgoing president and candidate, Jair Bolsonaro, has still not spoken.

A silence that intrigues and worries, although the far-right leader does not seem to have the freedom to challenge the results.

The deafening silence of Jair Bolsonaro challenges Brazil.

The day after the result of the presidential election, won by a short margin by his opponent Lula, the outgoing president and candidate has still not spoken.

While many international heads of state - including Emmanuel Macron - have sent their congratulations to Lula, Jair Bolsonaro's silence gives free rein to several hypotheses.

Including that of a possible offensive prepared by the far-right leader to contest the results. 

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However, Alexandre Moraes, the president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, said he telephoned Lula and Jair Bolsonaro on Sunday evening.

The latter would have welcomed him in an “educated and calm” way.

A reserved attitude which contrasts with the dozens of roadblocks erected as soon as the results are announced by truckers, in support of the outgoing president, beaten by a hair.

Jair Bolsonaro, politically isolated

At midday, more than 80 roadblocks, mostly made up of burnt tires, were identified in the country.

Jair Bolsonaro joined the presidential palace on Monday morning around 9 a.m.

If no official meeting is on his agenda, many political supporters should still try to join him. 

However, it is unlikely that Arthur Lira, the powerful president of the National Assembly, is one of them.

Yet fervent support of Jair Bolsonaro, he made a short appearance on Sunday evening in front of the cameras to congratulate Lula and recognize the validity of the results.

Above all, he indirectly underlined the isolation in which the now ex-president of Brazil finds himself today.

A political isolation that could dissuade him from contesting the results.