Tens of thousands gather to show political strength in a bid to energize his re-election campaign

On 7 September 2022, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro staged a massive rally on the iconic Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, drawing tens of thousands of supporters. The event marked the 200th anniversary of Brazil’s independence and was aimed at rallying support for Bolsonaro’s re-election bid in October.

Dressed in yellow shirts, his supporters filled the beachfront, where the far-right president delivered a fiery speech in which he defended his leadership, emphasizing his unorthodox style and attacking political opponents. “I’m not particularly polite. I use swear words – but I’m no crook,” he declared to the enthusiastic crowd.

Bolsonaro’s rally was seen as a strategic effort to reinvigorate his re-election campaign, which has faced challenges due to his struggles to win over Brazil’s poor voters despite promises of financial aid. With the election just weeks away, Bolsonaro is trailing behind former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who currently holds a comfortable lead in the polls. Despite this, Bolsonaro and his supporters continue to energize the base, fiercely denouncing Lula as a threat of “communism” and presenting the incumbent as the true defender of Brazil’s interests.

As the election nears, the outcome remains uncertain, with Bolsonaro pushing hard to retain power despite growing opposition.