Moving more closely into coverage of the final stretch of the campaign in Brazil, the Wall Street Journal sent its correspondent Samantha Pearson to Pirapitinga, a suburb of Porto Velho, Rondônia, for the extensive report “Amazon Destruction Rises Before Presidential Elections” (below ).
“Here the sun now disappears as soon as it rises, surrounded by orange smoke from forest fires”, he describes, quoting, from an interviewee: “It’s like a farewell party for Bolsonaro… They’re afraid he’ll lose, so they’re destroying everything, burning the forest”.
IT’S NOT JUST BY LULA
Investor Mark Mobius, speaking to Bloomberg, said he “will buy assets from Brazil if Lula wins in a peaceful transition.” As the report notes, “it is the second point that is the great doubt”. In Mobius’ full statement:
“If the election goes well and Lula enters, then we will probably try to expand some of our stakes. It’s not just for Lula, but because there is a stable transition and that will be good news.”
And financial channel CNBC points out that the “polarized campaign sees former leader Lula on the brink of a remarkable comeback.” He adds, however, that “Bolsonaro is sowing doubts about the validity of the voting system, raising fears that he will refuse to accept defeat.”
LULA’S DEFEAT WOULD BE A DISASTER
The Economist opened the queue of Anglo-American editorials against Bolsonaro’s re-election. In London’s The Guardian, now, “No matter the voters, Bolsonaro plans to win”. Just below, “The stakes could hardly be greater. Lula’s defeat would be a disaster for democracy and the planet.”
Closing the text, “A clear and definitive victory for Lula, ideally in the first round, is the best result for Brazilian democracy and for the planet. Other countries must make it clear that they will not tolerate any attempt by Bolsonaro to cheat.”
In the US, interestingly, a first editorial warning was issued by the conservative Pittsburgh Post-Gazette of Pennsylvania:
“Americans should be concerned about Bolsonaro’s policies and their implications for democracy in the sixth most populous country in the world. He aspires to be an autocrat. He raised doubts about whether he would accept the election results. Americans have already experienced the dire consequences of such elections.” beliefs, and Brazilians must reject the man who defends them. Their democracy is at stake.”
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
