Brazilian here: Rob Ford and Jair Bolsonaro are brothers in soul
I watched this series of BobbyBrocolli about Rob Ford (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAB-wWbHL7VvVT1LbcOIkqkowoZry6Rfd&si=3J8JE0BOHPX7s5\_V) and I'm amazed by the coincidences about him and Bolsonaro.
• Unpopular politicians in parliament but popular to their constituents
• Big mouth bastards that made scandals all around
• Lone wolves, ignored by the conservative establishment
• In moments of unpopularity of the left, used their far right lone wolves fame to create a new right wing movement against the establishment
• After being elected, discovers governing is harder than anyone expected and couldn't grasp why taxation exist and works
• Obssesed with cuts and privatizing that has bad repercussions
• Becomes the right wing establishment
Although they have big differences - besides the crack thing. Bolsonaro created a national movement while the Fords created a city to provincial one, so they have different powers and limits. Brazil also has the "Centrão" - big center -, a corrupt congregation of parties that has majority in parliament that all presidents needs to deal. Most Brazilians vote ideologically in presidental elections but for congressman they vote big center guys that are popular in their neighborhoods or small cities.
But it's such funny coincidence that I needed to share with someone.