Since the narrow victory of Lula, his sworn enemy, on October 30, Jair Bolsonaro has lived almost as a recluse in Brasilia and has locked himself in silence, giving various signs of depression.
By the editor
LFar-right President Jair Bolsonaro left Brazil for the United States on Friday, two days before the end of his term and the enthronement of his hated leftist successor Lula in Brasilia, several media reported.
Bolsonaro, who has never congratulated Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on his victory, should therefore not be present on Sunday at the investiture ceremonies in Brasilia of the new president, whom he had to gird with the presidential sash according to protocol.
Vice President Hamilton Mourao is acting as President and will speak on Saturday evening, national radio RNR announced.
After saying goodbye to his supporters live on social media, but without mentioning a departure, Jair Bolsonaro boarded an air force plane at around 2:00 p.m. (1700 GMT), O Globo media, CNN reported. Brasil, Estadao and the UOL news site.
“I’m in flight, I’ll be back soon,” the far-right head of state told CNN Brasil.
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A procession of presidential cars left the compound of the official residence of Alvorada in Brasilia, noted an AFP photographer, without being able to confirm that Bolsonaro was in one of the vehicles.
The general secretariat of the presidency has authorized the departure from the territory of members of the personnel responsible for the security of the “future ex-president” for a trip to Miami “from January 1 to 30, 2023”, according to the Official Journal on Friday.
It should be the first time since 1985 that an outgoing Brazilian president decides not to gird his successor with the presidential sash.
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That year, the last president of the military dictatorship established in 1964, General João Figueiredo, refused to participate in the investiture ceremony of his successor, José Sarney.
Since the narrow victory of Lula, his sworn enemy, on October 30, Jair Bolsonaro has lived almost as a recluse in Brasilia and has locked himself in silence, giving various signs of depression.
