Bolsonaro launches himself for re-election, with aggressive tone and attacks on the court

Rio de Janeiro.- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro launched his candidacy for re-election yesterday at an event in Rio de Janeiro that was marked by court attacks, criticism of his main adversary Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and a bellicose tone. who seemed to ignore the advice of his campaign team.

Bolsonaro used the event as a platform to call on his followers to “take to the streets for the last time” on 7 September, the date on which there were demonstrations in his favor the previous year.

Bolsonaro as a candidate for the election on 2 October was officially announced at the convention of the Liberal Party (PL) in Rio, the political cradle of the president. According to the organisers, 12,000 people followed the speech, although there was a gap in the audience.

To attack the Federal Supreme Court (STF), as it usually does, “I call on you all so that on September 7th we can take to the streets for the last time.” ,Those few deaf people in black cloak have to understand what is the voice of the people?He said about STF. “Supreme people!” His followers responded.

Bolsonaro spoke for more than an hour at the Maracazinho gym, where the atmosphere was festive, with his supporters mostly wearing the Brazilian flag, green and yellow.

Bolsonaro said he asks God”May Brazil never experience the pain of communism”, in reference to Lula, who, without naming whom, accused him of wanting to curtail freedoms when he returns to power in the October elections, of which he is clearly a favourite.

“We don’t need another ideology that hasn’t worked anywhere else in the world. We need to improve what we have,” Bolsonaro said on a stage surrounded by ministers, former ministers, family members and other aides.

The president appealed directly to young Brazilians who, according to polls, in their majority, preferred the leader of the Workers’ Party (PT). “We have to attract young leftists, show them the truth (…) where their candidate supported others for South America, Look at the plight of these countries, look at Venezuela (..) Look where our Argentina is going, close to the 50% poverty line”, assured the President.

“Lula, thief, your place is in jail!” The crowd cried.

Ahead of the launch, a close adviser to Bolsonaro said the campaign committee recommended him focus on an active agenda, focusing on the economy and the government’s efforts to reduce fuel prices and strengthen social support. , and left controversies such as attacks on the electronic ballot. boxes.

However, in addition to attacking the court, Bolsonaro indirectly made sure that his followers “do not admit to fraud,” citing allegations of vulnerability to electronic ballot boxes.

Among the public, they raised slogans like “God, country and family” and also saw the flag of former US President Donald Trump.

Bolsonaro appeared on stage with First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro and her vice-presidential candidate General Walter Souza Braga Neto. Michelle gave a brief speech before the president in which she said she prayed for her husband and assured that Bolsonaro was the president “who approved the most laws to protect women.”, The president’s wife was touted as an important part of the campaign to try to reduce disapproval among female voters and build loyalty to the evangelical vote.

The last Datafolha poll in June showed Lula with 47% of intent to vote, followed by Bolsonaro with 28%. They confirm from Bolsonaro’s surroundings that he is only seven points down.