Brazil's Bolsonaro denies any intention of coup if he loses election

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Brazil's Bolsonaro denies any intention of coup if he loses election

Bolsonaro gestures during the promotion ceremony of the General Officers of the Armed Forces at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia on August 4, 2022. EVARISTO SA AFP - Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro denied that he has any intention of carrying out a coup if he loses October's election, adding that he rejects a constitutional measure seen as an effort to protect him from crime accusations.

Efforts by Bolsonaro to turn an Independence Day military parade into a political event less than a month before the presidential election have raised concerns that he may use the military to compensate for his sagging popularity.

READ MORE: Brazil's Bolsonaro launches re-election bid, says army on his side.

I'm not afraid of losing the election. Bolsonaro said in an interview on the Flow Podcast that he's not worried about it. If I wanted to pull off a coup, I wouldn't say anything. Bolsonaro made a speech at the Liberal Party national convention on July 24, 2022, where he was officially elected as a candidate for re-election. MAURO PIMENTEL AFP Bolsonaro is ranked second in the polls ahead of the election, trailing former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In the same interview, the president raised suspicions against the country's voting system, echoing an argument he has repeatedly repeated.

He said that he wanted to be transparent because of the reputation of a coup plotter, not wanting to accept the results of the elections.

ALSO READ: Bolsonaro announces former defense chief as running mate.

Bolsonaro, asked about the recent news that allies of his administration were seeking a bill that would grant ex-presidents lifetime senatorial immunity, said he had no interest in the proposal.

They're going to say that I'm asking for a reprieve and I don't want that immunity.