We can’t go Bambam against Popó, says Moraes about defending democracy – 02/26/2024 – Power

Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the STF (Supreme Federal Court), preached this Monday (26) the strengthening of institutions and said that Brazil cannot “let its guard down” and “play Bambam against Popó” in defense of democracy.

The statement, making reference to the fight between the former BBB and the boxer, was given during a speech that opened the academic year at the Largo São Francisco Law School, at USP, where the minister graduated.

“These three pillars [imprensa, eleições e Judiciário] they resisted all over the world, but were shaken. We can’t fool ourselves, we can’t let our guard down, we can’t do Bambam against Popó — which lasted 36 seconds. We have to stay alert and strengthen democracy, strengthen institutions”, said Moraes, in a speech.

Moraes spoke about attacks around the world and reinforced that the problem is a “global phenomenon of erosion of democracy”, and not something that only happens in Brazil.

The main target of supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), the minister also stated that the attacks currently begin from within the system. “Unfortunately [o mecanismo dos ataques] was underestimated and, at times, was ridiculed. But there was a method.”

“‘Dictator’s manual’ includes attacks on the press and elections,” said Moraes. According to the minister, extremists around the world follow the same guideline, aiming to discredit and target the three pillars of democracy: the media, the electoral process and the independence of the Judiciary. “That’s what was done in Brazil — a frontal attack,” said Moraes, citing the so-called “digital militias.”

For the magistrate, attacks on the Judiciary were “amplified” in Brazil. This happened, in Moraes’ view, because the Electoral Court exists. “It is the Judiciary, through the Electoral Court, that organizes, carries out, administers and judges elections. So, the enemy of the second and third pillars of democracy, for extremist populism, was the same. And the cannons were aimed for that,” he said.

Moraes also defended the regulation of social networks. Currently, a bill — known as the Fake News Bill — on the topic is being processed in Congress. “We cannot fall into this easy speech that regulating social networks is against freedom of expression. This is a false speech and aims to propagate and continue to propagate hate speech”, added the minister.

The statements come one day after Silas Malafaia’s attacks on the STF. On Sunday (25), during a pro-Bolsonaro rally on Avenida Paulista, the pastor directly criticized Moraes and also the president of the STF, Luís Roberto Barroso. “As the minister [Moraes] Is there a side? He does not have to fight either the extreme right or the extreme left. He is the guardian of the Constitution”, defended Malafaia.