President Bolsonaro criticizes demonstrations that harm population 

For the first time, President Jair Bolsonaro spoke about the election results, on Tuesday afternoon (1), at the Alvorada Palace, his official residence. The demonstration occurred two days after the victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), elected for the third time to the Presidency of the Republic on Sunday (30).

Bolsonaro appeared, in a previously prepared pulpit, accompanied by several ministers of his government and political allies. There was a little more than two minutes of a statement read out, in which the president thanked for the vote he had received, without mentioning the president-elect. He also commented on the demonstrations by supporters who are blocking highways in several states around the country. The blockades have caused a series of damages, such as transporting hospital oxygen and airport shortages.

"I want to start by thanking the 58 million Brazilians who voted for me on October 30. The current popular movements are the result of indignation and feeling the injustice of how the electoral process was carried out. Peaceful demonstrations will always be welcome, but our methods cannot be those of the left, which have always harmed the population, such as invading property, destroying the patrimony and the right to come and go," he said.

With 100% of the ballots counted by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), Lula received 60.3 million votes, which corresponds to 50.90% of the valid votes. President Jair Bolsonaro got 49.10% of the votes, totaling 58.2 million. 

Bolsonaro also stated that he will comply with the Federal Constitution and mentioned his status as the leader of millions of Brazilians. "As president of the Republic and citizen, I will continue to fulfill all the commandments of our Constitution. It is an honor to be the leader of millions of Brazilians who, like me, defend economic freedom, religious freedom, freedom of opinion, honesty, and the green and yellow colors of our flag."

Transition

After reading the speech, Bolsonaro left the central hall of the Alvorada Palace with his team, and then the chief minister of the Civil House, Ciro Nogueira, made a complementary statement about the government transition.  

"President Jair Messias Bolsonaro has authorized me, when provoked, based on the law, we will begin the transition process. The president of the PT [Gleisi Hoffmann], according to her on behalf of president Lula, said that on Thursday [3] the name of vice-president Geraldo Alckmin [as coordinator of the transition team of the elected government] will be formalized. We will wait for this to be formalized to comply with the law in our country," she said.

Alckmin was announced Tuesday as coordinator of the transition team. Other names will be defined in the coming days, involving members of parties from Lula's coalition. 

STF

In a statement released late in the afternoon, the Federal Supreme Court (STF) highlighted the importance of Bolsonaro's pronouncement. 

"The Supreme Court consigns the importance of the pronouncement of the President of the Republic in guaranteeing the right to come and go in relation to the blockades and, by determining the beginning of the transition, recognizing the final result of the elections," the Court stated. 

This article was updated at 6:07 p.m. to add a note from the Supreme Court.