Sometimes called a “Tropical Trump” for his politically incorrect vitriol, Brazil’s controversial pro-dictatorship presidential candidate, Jair Bolsonaro successfully played to an electorate disgusted with conventional politics.
And from January 1, he will be Brazil’s new president.
Bolsonaro, 63, has built an image as a political outsider ready to rough up the establishment — no small feat given that, unlike the US president, he is a longtime politician.
The seven-term congressman has few legislative initiatives to his record but, crucially, has not been caught up in the massive corruption scandals that have made Brazilians furious with the political class in recent years.
However, he has made enemies with his denigrating comments on women, gays and blacks, while fondly recalling Brazil’s brutal 1964-85 military dictatorship, in which he served as an army captain.
