1. Brazilians take to the streets on September 7th for and against President Jair Bolsonaro

Brazil’s Independence Day (9/7) saw demonstrations both for and against President Jair Bolsonaro. The demonstrations took place amid discussions between Bolsonaro and the Federal Supreme Court, as well as an aggravated economic crisis. In Brasília and São Paulo, Bolsonaro made speeches threatening the court and democracy itself. He said that electronic ballots enabled “fraud” and that he will only leave the presidency “arrested or dead.” He also claimed he would disobey the judicial system.

At Avenida Paulista in São Paulo, the President went even further and criticized Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. “We cannot accept that a specific person from the Three Powers continues to barbarize our people,” he said. A few hours before that, in Brasília, Jair Bolsonaro said he would meet with the Republican Council – an institution that can be used by the president during a crisis – to present a plan for Brazil “that everyone wants.” Members of the Republican council said that there was no meeting.

BBC: As ameaças de Bolsonaro em discurso no 7 de setembro
G1: 7 de setembro tem protestos a favor e contra o governo Bolsonaro
UOL: Grupo bolsonaristas se dividem entre euforia e frustração com manifestações
G1: Manifestantes protestam na Avenida Paulista a favor de Jair Bolsonaro
El Pais: Mesmo com receio de confrontos, opositores marcam posição contra Bolsonaro

2. Federal Supreme Court, Congress, Senate, Prosecutor General of the Republic and politicians respond to Bolsonaro’s threats

In the days following Tuesday’s demonstrations and President Jair Bolsonaro’s threats, President of the Federal Supreme Court Luiz Fux made a speech on Wednesday at the opening of the Court. He reiterated the Court’s commitment to democracy, saying that the president’s “threats of not following judicial decisions made by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, if confirmed, are a crime of responsibility.”

After Fux’s speech, Prosecutor General of the Republic Augusto Aras also made a statement. Without mentioning the president directly, he confirmed that the institutions are committed to democracy and to the constitution. Earlier, President of the Chamber of Deputies Arthur Lira asked for peace between powers and said the country “has an unavoidable commitment” to vote in October 2022.

Lastly, on Thursday – two days after the rallies – the President of the Superior Electoral Court Luís Roberto Barroso went even further. He defended the electronic ballot, saying giving it up would be setback, and criticized Bolsonaro’s actions.

UOL: Barroso reage a discurso de Bolsonaro e diz que é tudo retórica vazia
Folha de S. Paulo: Fux alerta para crime de responsabilidade de Bolsonaro, já Lira fala em ‘basta’ sem citar impeachment
G1: Fux diz que ninguém fechará o STF e que desprezar decisão judicial é crime de responsabilidade
O Globo: Entenda os recados de Fux a Bolsonaro e leia a íntegra do discurso

3. Following meeting with former president Michel Temer, Bolsonaro backs off and says he ‘never intended to attack other powers’

On Thursday, as the institutional crisis worsened following the anti-democracy rallies on September 7th, President Jair Bolsonaro published a “Statement to the Nation,” saying that he “never intended to attack other powers.” Bolsonaro also said that, “although [Bolsonaro’s] words are often harsh, they were the result of the heat of the moment of discussions aimed at the common good.”

In the document – which was divided into 10 bullet points – the president also said he has personal problems with Federal Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. “I praise his qualities as a judge and professor. Our disagreements will now be resolved judicially, following fundamental rights and procedures.”

Soon after the statement was published, the Stock Exchange responded positively, and the price of the U.S. dollar fell.

G1: Bolsonaro divulga “Declaração à Nação” e diz que não teve intenção de agredir os poderes
O Globo: Após atos golpistas, Bolsonaro agora diz que ataques ao STF ‘decorreram do calor do momento’
G1: Bovespa tem forte alta após Bolsonaro divulgar “Declaração à Nação”
Estadão: Após dizer que não cumpre decisão de Moraes, Bolsonaro recua e elogia ministro do STF

4. Truckers protest in 15 states after Bolsonaro’s rallies

A day after the demonstrations in favor of Jair Bolsonaro, truckers protested and blocked roads in at least 15 states. The group gathered in support of the government, demanding lower fuel prices. Unions did not formally support the protests.

On the majority of blocked roads, only small cars, emergency vehicles and food cargo were allowed to pass.

The government – fearing shortages of fuel and food – asked for protests to end. At the end of the day on Thursday, five states still registered blockades.

O Globo: Caminhoneiros fazem protestos em rodovias em 14 estados
Folha de S. Paulo: Bloqueios de caminhoneiros em estradas caem para cinco estados
G1: Após novo apelo do governo, caminhoneiros bolsonaristas liberam rodovias, mas mantêm atos
Estado de Minas: Parou geral: protesto de caminhoneiros já atrasa entregas do e-commerce

5. Inflation increases above expectations for August and economists continue to worry about 2022

Due to the increase in prices of fuel, cars, food and electricity, the inflation rate for the month of August was above what the financial market expected. Economists fear prices will continue to be high until next year.

According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the Extended National Consumer Price Index (IPCA) was 0.87%, only a little below the 0.96% registered in July, which was the highest rate seen since 2000. The accumulated inflation for the past 12 months is at 9.68%, the highest since 2016, when the inflation rate was 10.36%.

According to IBGE, the price increase of fuel was the main cause of inflation this month. The price of gasoline increased 2.80%, which led to a 0.17 percentage point increase in inflation.

Infomoney: Inflação de agosto fica acima do esperado e já preocupa economistas
G1: Alta da gasolina pesa e inflação oficial fica em 0,87% em agosto
UOL: Inflação disfarçada faz produtos diminuírem de tamanho sem queda no preço
FSP: Inflação está alta no mundo todo, mas aqui é mais difícil de ser combatida
Veja: Com pressão geral de preços, inflação atinge pico de 9,68% em 12 meses