Bolsonaro’s neighborhood has Brazilian and Lula flags – 03/30/2023 – Politics

After almost three months outside Brazil, former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) moved into a house in a quiet neighborhood of a high-end condominium in Jardim Botânico, a neighborhood about 14 km from Plano Piloto —the central region of Brasilia.

The political manifestations of the former president’s new neighbors take place from time to time through the WhatsApp group of the tenants or through flags displayed at the gates of the houses. Most are flags of Brazil or last year’s Bolsonarist campaign.

There are still some pro-Lula banners. Two were extended on the street where Bolsonaro himself begins to live this Thursday (30). In the WhatsApp groups of neighbors, the residents of the condominium also discussed whether or not his arrival would be positive and how it would affect the routine of the place.

Upon leaving the Alvorada Palace at the end of his term, the former president’s family opted for a gated community in Brasília for security reasons and to avoid protests.

There have been no major changes to Bolsonaro’s condominium surveillance scheme. According to residents, no new equipment was purchased that would increase costs, nor was there any change in the condominium fee for any new necessary service.

This Thursday, with the arrival of the former representative, a Military Police car from the DF dawned patrolling the streets of the condominium. He left the place in the morning.

The condominium chosen by Bolsonaro has three blocks, with hundreds of houses. The courts are surrounded by a grid, with car entry and exit control, and private security patrols. Many of the residents are civil servants; there are still military and police.

Despite the reception of dozens of Bolsonaristas both at the airport and in front of the PL’s national headquarters, in Bolsonaro’s new home only a few curious people passed by this Thursday morning to take pictures.

The former representative landed in Brasilia at around 6:40 am, then participated in an event and an interview at the headquarters of the PL, arriving home at around 2:30 pm.

He went straight into the residence, without speaking to journalists who were waiting for him at the door. Shortly afterwards, a child arrived to deliver a drawing of the Brazilian flag, wishing her welcome —she lives with her family on the same block.

The drawing was taken inside the property by Bolsonaro’s stepdaughter, Letícia Firmo, who was arriving home at the same time. Two security guards also accompanied the former president and stayed at the entrance.

Among the prerogatives for having held the position, Bolsonaro is entitled to a small advisory, in addition to two cars paid for by the treasury.

The former president had not yet been to his home this year, since he had left Brazil before the end of his term to avoid passing the banner to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

In the garage in front of the Bolsonaros’ new residence, there is a two-seater buggy, bicycles and the motorcycle he used for motorcyclists. The house is on two floors and underwent renovations to accommodate the family.

There is a dark film on the windows of the house, which makes it impossible to see inside. In addition, the house is monitored by a 24-hour alarm company.

It was former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro herself who chose the house and ran the preparations, according to reports. She herself said on social media that they rented the property, despite having their own home in Rio de Janeiro.

The two now have positions in the PL: Bolsonaro as president of honor and she, president of the PL woman. Michelle receives about BRL 33,000 from the party, while Bolsonaro accumulates an income of BRL 86,500 without discounts from three sources: remuneration from the PL, payment as a retired military officer and parliamentary retirement.

From the caption, he will earn R$ 39,293 from April. As a retired military man, he receives R$11,945. He also pockets BRL 35,223 monthly from parliamentary pension.

In negotiations for Bolsonaro to be honorary president of the PL, the possibility of the party paying for the expenses of the house rented by the former president was discussed. The hypothesis, however, did not materialize.

Officially, the couple did not disclose how much they pay monthly with the rent of the house. But a search on property rental portals in Brasilia shows that condominium prices range from R$ 11,000 to R$ 30,000.

The condo has existed since 2002 and has expanded to its current size over the years. The region became even more valued after the inauguration of the JK Bridge, which allows for a faster connection with the center of Brasília.

There is a small business in the region, according to reports, already frequented by family members. Michelle, for example, used to go to a friend’s pastry shop that supplied sweets and cakes for parties at Palácio da Alvorada.