Bolsonaro faces unfavorable climate in bid to save political career, his lawyer says

FILE PHOTO: Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro speaks during a Partido Liberal Mulher event at the Legislative Assembly of the state of Sao Paulo, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, May 6, 2023. REUTERS/Carla Carniel/File Photo

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro faces an "obviously unfavorable" climate as he seeks to keep his political career alive in a trial this week, his lawyer said, adding that his client would appeal to the Supreme Court if he loses.

Bolsonaro, a far-right nationalist who lost an October election to leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, goes before the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) on Thursday, accused of abusing his authority last year when he summoned ambassadors to air baseless claims about the security of Brazil's voting system.