- Writing
- BBC News World
image source, Getty Images
Supporters of the former president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, invaded this Sunday areas of the National Congress and the Federal Supreme Court in the country’s capital, Brasilia.
One party also tried to gain access to the Planalto Palace, the seat of the Brazilian Executive.
Bolsonaro supporters are calling for military intervention and the resignation of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, better known as Lula, who defeated his far-right rival in October elections.
The president is currently in Sao Paulo on an official trip.
The demonstrators, who gathered in front of the Army Headquarters, moved to the Esplanade of the Ministries on Sunday followingnoon.
Images broadcast by local channels show dozens of protesters on the ramp that gives access to the Congress and the Planalto Palace and around the STF building.
image source, EPA
The images show broken windows and protesters calmly walking inside the Congress building. Some made it to the Senate chamber, where they jumped into the seats.
It is not clear if they are still in the building.
In front of the Congress, a group of police tried to stop the advance of the demonstrators with pepper spray, but was unsuccessful.
Many draw comparisons to the storming of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 by supporters of Donald Trump, a Bolsonaro ally.
image source, Getty Images
image source, Archyde.com
Being Sunday, congress is empty. Only employees responsible for essential services were present at the time of the invasion.
The dramatic scenes occurred a week following the inauguration of leftist Lula.
In his inauguration speech, the new president promised to rebuild the country from among “terrible ruins.” He also harshly criticized the policies of his predecessor, who went to the United States and avoided being present at the change of office ceremony.
image source, Getty Images
The leftist Lula da Silva took office last Sunday.
condemnation reactions
The president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, announced on Twitter that he was in contact with the governor of the Federal District, Ibaneis Rocha.
“The governor informed me that he is concentrating the efforts of the entire police apparatus to control the situation,” he said.
“I vehemently repudiate these undemocratic actswhich must urgently submit to the rigor of the law,” Pacheco said.
“This absurd attempt to impose the will by force will not prevail. The Federal District government affirms that there will be reinforcements. And the forces we have are acting,” Justice Minister Flavio Dino said, also on Twitter.
