The Member States of the European Union condemned on Wednesday the «open attack against democratic institutions» in Brazil and showed their solidarity with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, supporting his actions to restore constitutional order in the country.
In a joint statement signed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, the EU-27 describe the altercations in Brazil staged by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro and that culminated with the assault on the headquarters of the Presidency, Congress and the Supreme Court as an «open attack on the democratic institutions of the country», ensuring that political differences can not lead to justify «criminal acts».
«The EU strongly condemns these appalling acts of political violence and the unacceptable attack on democracy they represent. We express our solidarity with President Lula and the Brazilian institutions in their defense of democracy, and support the measures taken to restore order and respect for the rule of law,» the statement said.
The EU-27 support efforts to investigate those responsible for the attacks and acts of vandalism «against public property and national historical heritage» and stresses that political differences cannot lead to justify «criminal acts» or question electoral results.
They also recall that the exercise of democratic rights and freedoms «must be carried out respecting the Constitution and democratically elected institutions» and trust in democracy and the strength of Brazilian institutions. «Our conviction is that it will prevail over violence and extremism,» the EU-27 conclude.
Insisting on the commitment to work hand in hand with the new Brazilian Executive, the European bloc puts on the table the need to strengthen the relationship on issues of mutual interest and to defend common values such as the defense of Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights.
This Wednesday, the decision of the Brazilian authorities to extend the presence of the National Force in the Esplanade of the Ministries for ten more days, at a time when new mobilizations of Bolsonaro’s disgruntled followers are not ruled out.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
