Jair Bolsonaro and Judge Alexandre de Moraes. Photo: Sergio Lima / AFP
It was the afternoon of September 7, 2021 and from a stage on the emblematic Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Jair Bolsonaro took the microphone to deliver the speech in front of the crowd more inflamed than his mandate.
“Any decision of Alexandre de Moraes, this president will no longer respect it. Patience is over,” threatened the far-right president in front of his followers, some of whom have asked prison for the judges of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), with Moraes as the main focus.
As a magistrate of the highest court, Moraes was merciless in the proceedings against Bolsonaro and his allies, among other things for the dissemination of false information.
Jair Bolsonaro, in the countryside, in Rio. Photo: Mauro Pimentel / AFP
Moraes will also take over on Tuesday the presidency of the Higher Electoral Court (TSE), a key institution ahead of the October 2 elections, the results of which Bolsonaro, according to polls, ensures that they can be fraudulent.
“Robocop”
Bald, 53 years old and with a stern gesture that earned him the nickname of “robopolita”Moraes arrived at the STF in 2017, indicated by the then president Michel Temer (2016-2018), of which he was Minister of Justice.
As a minister, Moraes already dreamed of being an STF judge, Piauí magazine reported in July. His court colleagues emphasize his good dialogue with politicians and a pragmatism that allows him to keep open a channel of dialogue with the Armed Forces.
Professor of law at the University of São Paulo, the judge began his career as a prosecutor at the age of 23.
Bald, 53 years old and with a stern gesture that earned him the nickname “Robocop”, Moraes joined the STF in 2017. Photo: Fabio Pozzebom / AFP
Before arriving in Brasilia, he was already known for its hard line.
As the former governor’s security secretary for Sao Paulo Gerald Alckmincurrent running mate of the favorite candidate at the polls, former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was accused of being ruthless in the repression of social movements.
Bolsonaro’s animosity with De Moraes it is not accidental.
In addition to having ordered the removal of fake content on digital platforms, the raids and imprisonment of Bolsonarists, including that of the deputy Daniel Silveira, convicted of promoting anti-democratic acts and then pardoned by Bolsonaro, in his hands are several processes that undermine the far right.
Among these, research dissemination of false information and threats to magistratesin addition to Bolsonaro’s alleged interference with the Federal Police to protect his children, who are themselves accused of various corruption offenses.
Ever since he became a target for Bolsonaro, the judge he speaks little to journalists and keeps its decisions under strict secret, says an official with an office in the STF at AFP.
Since becoming a target of Bolsonaro, the judge barely speaks to reporters. Photo: Victoria Silva / AFP
But he turned his Twitter account into a space to mark the location on burning issues of Brazilian life. Like last Thursday, when he showed his support for a massive event in São Paulo in “defense of democracy”, a response to criticism from Bolsonaro, who questions – without proof – the reliability of electronic voting in Brazil.
The president is trying to undermine the credibility of the electoral system, an act unprecedented since the re-democratization in 1985, says André César, an analyst at consulting firm Hold.
Attacks on the electoral system have fueled fears that it could be a strategy to do so ignore any defeat in front of Luna.
As president of the TSE, Moraes he will be in charge of dealing with any offensive at the crucial moment, a task that could be the most challenging of his career.
Moraes “will have to lead the TSE with iron hand so as not to collapse the electoral system “, anticipates César.
By Marcelo SILVA De Sousa, AFP
ap
Source: Clarin
