Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for democracy of reports that the Brazilian Armed Forces will act as election observers in the Presidential Election in October 2022 in that country.

We are aware of reports that President Bolsonaro has suggested that the Brazilian armed forces should have a role in monitoring the presidential elections in Brazil this October. It is important for all participants to respect core democratic principles and electoral processes. We continue to engage with the Brazilian Government, political parties and civil society organisations on this basis. Independent election monitoring provides vital support for credible and inclusive elections and we will continue to support the work of international election observation organisations in Brazil.