Party Feuds, Money Questions Cloud Bolsonaro's Big Day in Brazil

Election victory of Bolsonaro formally certified on Monday
Party squabbles, graft allegations, trouble transition team

Jair Bolsonaro and his Hamilton Mourao listen to the national anthem at the TSE in Brasilia on Dec. 10.Photographer: Evaristo Sa/AFP/Getty Images

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By Simone Iglesias and Flavia Said

December 10, 2018 at 8:50 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

As Brazil’s President-elect Jair Bolsonaro moved one step closer to taking office on Monday, unexplained payments involving close family members and squabbles between leading members of his PSL party threaten to complicate the start of his presidency.

In a ceremony at Brazil’s top electoral court, Bolsonaro and his vice president, General Hamilton Mourao, received diplomas certifying their victory in October. In a short speech Bolsonaro promised to govern for all "regardless of race, sex, color, age or religion." The new government will take office on Jan. 1.