The universal machine: an analysis of the mobilization of moral discourse in Folha Universal in the 2022 elections

Abstract: The objective of this article is to present an analysis of the way in which the Folha Universal, of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (IURD), mobilized religious political discourses with a moral background in the 2022 elections. extends from the first edition of the year to the edition that precedes the second round of voting. Our research shows that the IURD newspaper was a politically active body and positioned itself as a campaign instrument for the conservative field and made explicit support for the candidacy of Jair Bolsonaro. Our work reveals that the customs agenda based on a conservative posture in defense of the “traditional family” and the reception of a left-wing government were basic speeches in the defense of Jair Bolsonaro’s candidacy and even guided his government proposals. On the other hand, but also, forcing his main opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, to assume commitments with moral guidelines, retreating and/or abandoning some agendas dear to social movements historically linked to the left and the Worker’s Party.

Keywords:
UCKG; universal sheet; elections 2022; bolsonarism; conservatism.