Elections in Brazil: The return of Lula or the right to power

“He is a Pharisee and he is trying to manipulate the good faith of evangelical men and women who go to church to discuss their faith, their spirituality. They keep trying to tell lies,” Lula said about Bolsonaro

One of the presidential elections that is currently making the most noise in the region is the one that will take place in the neighboring country of Brazil, since less than 50 days before the vote, the electoral contest has already begun and once again poses a struggle between the right that seeks to stay in power and the left that will try to return to the presidential chair.

“aggressive” campaign

For many political analysts in Brazil, an electoral campaign is approaching that is not only polarized, but especially aggressive.

This given that from the partiality of the current president Jair Bolsonaro, who aspires to win his second term, they are preparing to exploit the fear of the return of a Government of the Workers’ Party (PT).

In fact, various local media have broadcast Radio and TV advertisements to launch their message with the intention of causing an increase in rejection of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The purpose of the plan is to prevent the PT leader from winning in the first round on October 2.

According to them, it would not be the only instrument to be used by the candidate’s environment, social networks have begun the task of discrediting by stating that if Lula comes to power he would close the evangelical churches.

Lula’s response

But Lula was not far behind as last week he launched an offensive against his rival.

“He is a Pharisee and he is trying to manipulate the good faith of evangelical men and women who go to church to discuss their faith, their spirituality. They keep trying to tell lies all the time. Lies about Lula, about Lula’s wife, about you, about the Indians,” said the former trade unionist during a campaign rally.

“He is outraged because the hosts of his opponent launched the fake news on social networks that if he comes to power he will close all the evangelical churches,” he added.

surveys

While both contenders accuse each other, the polls show that the electorate continues to give Lula an advantage.

However, according to the Genial/Quaest survey, the distance was shortened with respect to the moment in which the former president said that he would face the current one. In July 2021, 41% were willing to vote for Lula and 24% for Bolsonaro. Now, Lula’s advantage is smaller: 43% to 32%. The prestigious Datafolha gave Lula more convincing numbers in July, 47% in the first round compared to 29% for Bolsonaro.

A new poll is expected this coming week.

The analysts of these pollsters also point out that Bolsonaro’s move with the increase in subsidies to the most needy did not have the effect he was looking for. Last month, his government approved a 41 billion reais ($7.7 billion) spending package that, through the end of the year, will increase monthly cash payments by 50%, to 600 reais, for Aid Brazil, in addition to creating fuel subsidies for truck and taxi drivers, but for now, the distribution of money has not translated into voting intentions.

enabled to vote

On October 2, more than 156 million Brazilians are eligible to vote for the new president and vice president, renew a third of the Senate, the entire Chamber of Deputies and the governors of the 27 states. 2.1 million young people aged 16 and 17 were registered to vote and there are 700,000 Brazilians qualified to vote from abroad.

Polls show that the electorate continues to give an advantage to former President Lula da Silva

They are 12 candidates What do they seek The presidency

Another 10 candidates will also seek the presidency.

They are: Ciro Gomes (Democratic Party of Labor), Felipe D’Avila (Novo), José Eymael (Christian Democracy), Léo Péricles (Popular Unity), Pablo Marçal (Republican Party of Social Order), Roberto Jefferson (Party of Labor of Brazil), Simone Tebet (Brazil for All), Sofia Manzano (Brazilian Communist Party), Soraya Thronicke (Brazil Union) and Vera Salgado (Unified Socialist Workers’ Party).

Elections in Brazil: The return of Lula or the right to power