September 7: Presidents of the Chamber, Senate and STF do not attend the parade

With President Jair Bolsonaro, First Lady Michelle and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (Photo: EVARISTO SA / AFP)

Brazil’s only head of power is President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) who will attend the military parade this Wednesday (7/9) at the Esplanada dos Ministries in Brasilia. Senate Presidents Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD/MG); Arthur Lira (PL/AL) from the Chamber and Louis Fuchs from the Federal Supreme Court (STF) were invited but did not attend the event.

Pacheco said on social media that the September 7 celebrations “need to be peaceful, respectful and celebrate love for country, democracy and the rule of law.”

As Brazil celebrates 200 years of independence, these September 7 celebrations need to be peaceful and respectful, celebrating love for country, democracy and the rule of law. pic.twitter.com/jrKNPVq2A8

%u2014 Rodrigo Pacheco (@rodrigopacheco) September 7, 2022

Lira also spoke on social media about the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of Brazil’s independence. The Chamber President highlighted that Brazil today has a “future of challenges, difficult but necessary decisions and great achievements”.

“A free Brazil always looks forward”, he concluded.

200 years ago, today’s Brazil began to be born, a future of challenges, difficult but necessary decisions, and great achievements to be made. September 7, 200 years ago, echoes in everyone’s actions and commitments! Free Brazil is always ahead.

%u2014 Arthur Lira (@ArthurLira_) September 7, 2022

After disagreements on the stage

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was one of the dignitaries present at the official venue with Bolsonaro to watch the military parade celebrating the bicentennial of Brazil’s independence.

“When someone invites you to lunch, he decides whether he wants to eat lunch or not,” said Sousa Poca. The Portuguese president also said he understood the Brazilian political background, but even so, Bolsonaro invited him to lunch, saying he was in Brazil last year and spoke with a former Brazilian president. “So there is a parallel in the situation,” he stressed.