The scientific journal The Lancet published, this Saturday (3), an editorial (“New Beginnings for Latin America?”) dedicated to the Brazilian presidential election. For her, “Brazil needs an urgent change”.
The editorial of the magazine, existing since 1823 and one of the main scientific publications in the world, points out that there is concern that, in the event of defeat, Bolsonaro, “known for his volatility and indirect incitement to violence, will not remain quiet”.
The publication recalls that the current Brazilian president has even criticized electronic voting machines before ambassadors from other countries.
It is not the first time that a Lancet editorial has directly and negatively cited Bolsonaro.
In 2020, the publication said that Bolsonaro — called a “leader ‘so what? threat to Brazil’s response to the coronavirus, which would be more committed to a war against science than against the new virus.
“Bolsonaro’s disastrous handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, his disrespect for women, ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples and the environment are widely known,” the editorial points out.
The magazine then cites the constant problems of inequality, poverty and corruption in the country, in addition to gender and gun violence — “Bolsonaro’s decision to relax arms laws was a step in the wrong direction”.
It is also remembered how scientists and scientific institutions have suffered.
If the projections are confirmed – surveys by Datafolha show Lula (PT) advantage in the presidential race -, Brazil will join other Latin American countries “where there is new hope for social change”, says the editorial, which cites the presidents of the Colombia, Gustavo Petro, and from Chile, Gabriel Boric.
At the same time, the magazine recalls that several leaders have already been elected under promises of renewing health and education and fighting corruption. The cases of Petro and Boric would be different, at least for the inclusion of themes such as climate protection and sustainability, women’s rights and greater inclusion of ethnic minorities.
“Boric has a strong environmental agenda with a clear understanding that fossil fuels belong to the past, an exception in a region where many governments still support mining and oil,” reads the editorial, which then cites the referendum for the new Chilean Constitution and Petro’s proposals for free university education and taxation of unproductive lands.
“There is an unprecedented chance for new beginnings in Latin America; an opportunity to make positive changes to alleviate deep-seated neglect, inequality and violence,” the editorial states. “We hope that Brazil seizes this opportunity.”
