The demonstrations took place despite the cancellation of public events amid repeated warnings that the number of COVID-19 cases in Brazil is set to increase exponentially in the coming weeks. President Jair Bolsonaro, having flip-flopped regarding whether the protests should be maintained in the face of the pandemic, finally used his social media accounts yesterday to encourage his supporters to attend them and personally greeted demonstrators in Brasilia.
Bolsonaro is set to seek more confrontation with Congress and the Supreme Court.
Calls for impeachment are likely to emerge in the coming weeks, further fuelling the radicalisation of Bolsonaro’s supporters.
The effects of COVID-19 both domestically and internationally will hit the economy and exchange rate.
