Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Brazil: Presidential Elections

Tuesday 6 September 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Brazil holds the biggest election in the world in October 2022.
  • Democracy is under threat in many parts of the world, including Brazil.
  • Reports suggest the Bolsonaro government may reduce the number of official election observers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

International concerns over the integrity of democratic processes, particularly with issues like disinformation and targeted violence.

Question

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of election observation arrangements for presidential elections in Brazil in October 2022. The election in Brazil is the biggest election in the world this year and it is important that it takes place in free and fair conditions. Sadly, there has been targeted violence from supporters of President Bolsonaro against members of the main opposition party, including fatal shootings.

Answer from Vicky Ford

I was also shocked by the assassination attempt on Vice-President Kirchner in Argentina. We strongly condemn hate and violence and stand firmly with Argentina in support of democracy and the rule of law. On Brazil, democracy is under threat in many parts of the world and it is very important that Brazil continues to set an example to others on free and fair elections.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about making a public statement was not directly addressed.

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Q2 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerns over the safety of election observers and political violence leading up to significant democratic events.

Question

On the importance of defending democracy, I want to express, as I am sure many others do, my best wishes to the Argentinian Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, on whom there was an horrific assassination attempt last week. The election in Brazil is the biggest election in the world this year and it is important that it takes place in free and fair conditions. Sadly, in recent months there has been targeted violence from supporters of President Bolsonaro against members of the main opposition party, including fatal shootings.

Answer from Vicky Ford

I was also shocked by the assassination attempt on Vice-President Kirchner in Argentina. I am very relieved that she was not hurt and we strongly condemn hate and violence and stand firmly with Argentina in support of democracy and the rule of law. On Brazil, democracy is under threat in many parts of the world and it is very important that Brazil continues to set an example to others on free and fair elections.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about making a public statement was not directly addressed.

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Q3 Fabian Hamilton Lab Leeds North East
Foreign Affairs
Context

Reports of attempts to reduce election observers and concerns about the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and attacks on human rights.

Question

Opposition Members join the Government in congratulating the Republic of Brazil on its 200th anniversary. Reports that the Bolsonaro Government are attempting to reduce the number of official observers for the forthcoming presidential elections are extremely worrying. Given that the Foreign Secretary, who is shortly to become Prime Minister, has spent so much time cosying up to President Bolsonaro, rather than challenging on the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and the attack on fundamental human rights in Brazil, will the Minister use her diplomatic pressure to help ensure these elections are able to be independently observed, with all sides respecting the outcome and result afterwards?

Answer from Vicky Ford

I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman on the importance of free and fair elections, and I say again that it is very important that Brazil demonstrates to other countries across the world that it continues to support free and fair elections, and obviously election observers have an important role to play.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about using diplomatic pressure was not directly addressed.

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