Bolsonaro’s non-concession speech was totally in keeping with his character

After two days of silence, President Jair Bolsonaro finally decided to speak.

He had changed his mind about speaking once already, and nobody was sure whether he would show up this time.

After keeping the media, and the nation, waiting for almost two hours, he delivered a short, perfunctory speech neither admitting defeat or even naming his successor and victor in the presidential contest, Lula da Silva.

He did however say he would follow the constitution, and that means handing over. It was left to his chief of staff to confirm to the media and millions of Brazilians watching that the transition will begin when he is instructed to do so.

Mr Bolsonaro praised the support of the tens of millions who voted for him, and told them they could protest, as long as it was peaceful.

There had been fears President Bolsonaro would do a “Donald Trump” and refuse to accept the results of the election.

He has been saying for months and months now that the election will be rigged, and that Brazil’s electronic voting system was not secure. He has never provided any evidence for these claims.

He didn’t exactly concede defeat, but he did indirectly indicate he will hand over.

President Bolsonaro is the first in Brazil’s history not to win a second term.

He has also taken the longest time of any sitting president to address the country after the vote count finished.

The focus of attention now will be on his supporters, and what they may – or may not – decide to do next.

Mr Bolsonaro’s supporters are planning demonstrations across the country on Wednesday, a national holiday here in Brazil.

They are of course entitled to do so, as indeed the opposition has done as well over the past four years.

The incumbent’s non-concession speech was totally in keeping with the character of the Jair Bolsonaro that has so infuriated his opponents – and been idolised by his supporters.

The official transition takes place on 1 January 2023, but it’s unclear if Bolsonaro will attend and hand over, in person, the presidential sash that is the convention here.