The top three soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces have resigned. They do so out of dissatisfaction with a series of sackings by President Bolsonaro, who this week fired Defense Minister Azevedovan and five other ministers. It is the first time in the country’s democratic history that the entire military commander has resigned due to disagreements with the president.

The departure of the leaders of the Army, Air Force and Navy comes at a time when Bolsonaro is under heavy fire overhead Coronadoden And the weak economy.

“The conflict is, at its core, about the political role of the armed forces,” said reporter Mark Bessems. “Bolsonaro wants the generals to be very supportive of the government. For example, they openly approve of his criticism of the lockdowns.

Additionally, many soldiers are not enthusiastic about Bolsonaro’s approach to diadem. “All these deaths and chaos are mirrored in them,” says Bissems. “The former health minister was a serving general. More Brazilians were killed under his command than in any battle or war. This minister did everything wrong. This is not good for the image of the armed forces. I think it’s very important what caused this collision.”

Packing

Brazilian media has written that whether or not the lockdowns are implemented plays a significant role in the conflict. Bolsonaro is against this, but the federal states can decide for themselves. The president can’t do much about it.

“Unless there is a national mobilization,” says Bissems. “Bolsonaro’s allies in Parliament proposed this yesterday, so that you can organize a state of preparedness even in times of a pandemic. They want it because the president will have all the power. So he can stop the state closures. That would be critical. An important reason to fight with Bolsonaro.”

Bolsonaro’s allies’ proposal ultimately failed, as many lawmakers viewed it as a coup. “That was an important word on the eve of March 31,” says Bissems. “This is the anniversary of the 1964 coup of the Brazilian army.”