Senator said that Bolsonaro's speech on TV was serious after the president asked people to return to normality even with the coronavirus pandemic.
Senator Davi Alcolumbre, president of the National Congress, released a statement on Tuesday night (24) after President Jair Bolsonaro's speech, in which he asked the population to return to normality amid the coronavirus outbreak that is only growing in the country. There are already 46 deaths and 2,201 people infected.
Alcolumbre said that Bolsonaro's speech was “serious” and that Brazil needs “serious leadership”.
Bolsonaro in a national speech in which he called for an end to “mass confinement.” He also stated that the media had spread “fear” among the population.
“At this critical time, the country needs serious, responsible leadership that is committed to the lives and health of its population. We consider the position expressed by the President of the Republic today, on national television, of attacking the measures to contain Covid-19 to be serious,” said Alcolumbre.
According to the President of Congress, the current moment is also not one to attack the press and public managers. Alcolumbre also stressed that “unity, serenity and balance” are needed.
“More than ever, the nation expects transparency, seriousness and responsibility from the leader of the Executive Branch. Congress will continue to be active and attentive to collaborate in whatever is necessary to overcome this crisis,” he said.
During Bolsonaro's speech on television, there were protests in several cities in some states, such as in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, the Federal District, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Ceará, Pernambuco and Alagoas.
Coronavirus data
According to the Ministry of Health, as of Tuesday, 46 deaths have been recorded in Brazil due to Covid-19, a disease caused by the new coronavirus. The Ministry of Health announced that there are now 2,200 confirmed cases.
The ministry said it will not comment on Bolsonaro's speech.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are more than 375,000 cases of coronavirus infection worldwide, with 16.3 confirmed deaths, in 195 countries.