Bolsonaro asks Brazil execs to support Macri’s re-election

He fears the opposition may hinder the opening of Mercosur if elected

Published on 21/08/2019 - 16:01 By Andreia Verdélio - Brasília

President Jair Bolsonaro today (Aug 21) asked Brazilian business owners to support the re-election of Argentina President Mauricio Macri. At the Brazil Steel Congress 2019, in Brasília, Bolsonaro expressed concern over the election of opposition hopeful Alberto Fernández.

“The fact that the primaries showed a wide margin for the opposition was enough for the market to respond immediately [with a slide in Argentina’s stock exchange and a hike in the dollar]. But this scenario can be reverted if you can all contribute. We’re not supporting Macri. We want the old left not to regain power. If the way to do that is to support Macri, so be it, as I have done discreetly. I’ve urged everybody to do the same,” Bolsonaro said.

In the August 11 primaries, Fernández, with former President Cristina Kirchner as running mate, received 47 percent of the vote. Incumbent Mauricio Macri garnered 32 percent.

Bolsonaro’s concern is seeing Fernández elected and posing resistance to the economic opening of Mercosur and the recent agreement the bloc inked with the European Union. “If we have to reconsider [Mercosur and the agreement], we’ll take the initiative and aim for bilateralism, if that’s the best thing to do,” Bolsonaro stated. “[Alberto Fernández] said he doesn’t want to move away from us when it comes to economic matters. OK, we can walk together in the economy, but never in political matters. If they deviate from defending democracy and liberty, we’ll take a political stance too,” he added.

Translation: Fabrício Ferreira -  Edition: Juliana Andrade / Nira Foster

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