Michelle Bolsonaro criticizes Lula for dismissing women in government

Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro (PL) criticized the reduced participation of women in the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). The speech took place during a PL Mulher event held in Macapá, capital of Amapá, on Saturday (13).

Michelle was talking about the role of women in politics when, without mentioning the PT member by name, she associated the ruler with misogyny. “Today we see who the misogynist is, who uses women to climb the ramp and then closes the door in their faces, who promises and doesn’t deliver,” declared the wife of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

At least three women appointed at the beginning of the Lula government, in top positions, were dismissed, in the first year of the term, to make way for men. The first resignation, which took place in July 2023, was that of former Minister of Tourism Daniela Carneiro, who was eventually succeeded by Celso Sabino (União Brasil -PA).

In September, the second woman fired was the then Minister of Sports, Ana Moser, who was replaced by André Fufuca (PP-MA). In October, it was time for the then president of Caixa, Rita Serrano, to resign, who was replaced by economist Carlos Antônio Vieira Fernandes.

The reference used by the former first lady is also related to the fact that Lula tried to show himself “different” from Bolsonaro, who was branded a misogynist by the left, for not giving space to women in his government. Expanding the number of ministries, Lula also gave more senior positions to women, in addition to walking up the ramp on inauguration day accompanied by women and receiving the presidential sash from a group in which, among others, there were women.

Michelle Bolsonaro’s statement also comes against the backdrop of the news about the accusations made by the ex-partner of Lula’s youngest son, Luís Cláudio. The doctor and psychoanalyst made accusations that include attacks “of a physical, verbal, psychological and moral nature”.

Lula did not comment on the case, but, in a speech, he recalled the difficulties of the relationship between his parents and even stated that “women were not made to be beaten”.