When Jair Bolsonaro was disqualified from running for public office for eight years on 30 June, social media was full of humiliating memes.
The former president’s conviction by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) seemed the logical consequence of the climate of democratic restoration that followed the coup attacks of 8 January. That fateful day for Brazilian democracy has only facilitated the forcefulness of the three powers. Lula dismissed high-ranking military and intelligence officers. Then, in mid-September, the Supreme Federal Court (STF) sentenced the first defendant of 8 January to 17 years in prison, confirming the hard line of the judiciary against coup acts. And Congress approved the criminal prosecution of Bolsonaro, military supporters and former ministers.
The impunity enjoyed by Bolsonaro while he governed the country is over. Moreover, his popularity has been eroded by multiple cases of corruption, especially the scandal of appropriation of jewellery given by Saudi sheikhs.
