Analysis-Brazil's Bolsonaro rolls out tanks to cover his weak position

FILE PHOTO: Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro walks after a meeting to deliver the interim measure for changes in social welfare program Bolsa Familia (Family Allowance) at the National Congress in Brasilia, Brazil, August 9, 2021. REUTERS/Adriano Machado

BRASILIA (Reuters) - The clouds of dark exhaust spewing from aging tanks and amphibious vehicles rolling past far-right President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday were a poor smoke screen for a leader whose political support is slipping and re-election is in trouble.

Politicians and analysts said this week's unusual military display outside the presidential palace https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-military-parade-presidential-palace-rattles-politicians-2021-08-10 in Brasilia revealed not strength but rather the political weakness of a president on the ropes for failing to lead Brazil out of the coronavirus pandemic and an economic crisis.