Jair Bolsonaro wins in Brazil, shifting politics in the country rightwards.

Jair Bolsonaro. BBC/EPA.

Right wing populist candidate Jair Bolsonaro has won the presidency in Brazil. BBC. Bolsonaro won against left wing candidate Frenando Haddad in a 55 to 45% victory. Jair Bolsonaro has been called racist and sexist by the media and his opponents but he said he will defend the constitution, democracy and freedom. Bolsonaro campaigned on a platform of conservative values and promising a crackdown on crime and an expansion for Brazilians gun rights. He is also saying he will cleanse Brazil of its famous corruption problem. 

My Comment:

I am utterly amazed that the BBC article or any of the articles I have read about Bolsonaro mentioned the fact that he was almost murdered by a leftist on the campaign trail. That was the moment that I knew that Bolsonaro was going to be president. When someone almost dies for a cause an then keeps on going it shows that he's dedicated to the cause and gives great sympathy for ordinary people. I think it was a crucial reason why he was elected and to leave it out is just bad journalism. 

Bolsonaro's victory isn't that surprising. Brazil is famously corrupt and crime ridden and the previous administrations didn't do much of anything to prevent that. Indeed, some of their presidents ended up in prison for the corruption. Something had to be done differently and if the liberals in Brazil have a problem with it then they should have done a better job running the country. The crime and corruption that happened under leftists who have had control of Brazil for quite some time now is proof that they were not competent. 

Jair Bolsonaro has been accused of being racist, sexist and every other ist that exists. How true are those accusations? Probably a better case to be made against him that everyone else who has been slandered that way. He has said some pretty out there stuff that goes beyond what most people have said. That being said, I don't think Brazil cares anymore. Better to have a racist in power than a liberal, so the thinking goes. 

As far as policy goes there is one reason why I personally am happy that Bolsonaro won. He has come out in favor of gun rights very strongly. Brazilians essentially don't have gun rights but the criminals all have weapons. Right now they are completely defenseless but Bolsonaro has vowed to change this. No matter what else happens in his presidency if he manages to get a Brazilian 2nd amendment and CCW for Brazilians then he would be a hero for gun rights. 

Bolsonaro is part of a global resurgence in right wing populism. Brexit, President Trump and the various right wing parties gaining ground in Europe shows that people are tired of globalism and leftism. Now it is happening in South America as well. I think the world feels that things aren't working anymore and that it is time for a change. Bolsonaro is just another example of this.