Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro has launched the campaign for his re-election in Rio de Janeiro

The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, launched his candidacy for re-election in the elections next Octoberin an act where his campaign team tried to keep him focused on a proactive agenda to bridge the gap with his left-wing rival and poll favorite, former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The candidacy was made official at the conference of the Liberal Party (PL), in the north of Rio de Janeiro, the political cradle of the president, two days later that Lula’s party launched his in Sao Paulo, where he forged himself as a leader.

Bolsonaro’s running mate will be another army general, former Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto, as Bolsonaro himself had already advanced, as confirmed at the PL Convention, held at the Maracanazinho stadium in Rio de Janeiro, with a capacity of over 11,000 spectators.

Bolsonaro starred on stage at the stadium, decorated in the green and yellow colors of the Brazilian flag and accompanied by his wifeMichelle Bolsonaro, Braga Netto and his wife also participated.

The role of the wife

Among Bolsonaro’s sons, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro was the only protagonist on stage.

The act began with a prayer by the deputy and federal parish priest Marco Feliciano and then Bolsonaro took the microphone, recalling a short biblical passage on the value of the “virtuous woman” and handed the microphone to Michelle.

“You are here supporting a project to liberate the nation, four years ago we had this experience and we had no idea what we were going to face, we had no idea what was going to happen,” he said.

The first lady compared today with 2018when during the Bolsonaro campaign he was stabbed.

“As I said yesterday, when I arrived at the Holy House and saw my husband on the stretcher, I looked at the hospital ceiling and said ‘you are in control of all things’; this nation is rich, it is prosperous, it is it was simply poorly managed. God loves this nation, “he added, according to the local G1 portal.

In turn, Bolsonaro said: “When it comes to people’s power, does anyone think that the Cuban people do not want freedom? Do they have it? No. How do we get to this point? Because of bad decisions. Our mission does not. it is disturbing your lives. It is, more and more, taking away the state. Strong state, weak people. Strong people, strong state “.

The polls

Shortly before the end of his speech, he asked that “the voice of the people” take to the streets “for the last time” on 7 September.

“We are the majority, we are good, we are free to fight for our homeland. I call you all now, so that everyone, on September 7 go out on the street for the last time “harangued.

Two slogans accompanied Bolsonaro during the confirmation of his candidacy: “For the sake of Brazil” and “Struggle of good against evil”, the latter almost religious in reference to Lula da Silva.

Before the start of the act, PL deputy Carla Zambelli denounced that “leftist activists” encouraged the withdrawal of free invitations to sabotage the event, which is why the party decided to enter for free without asking for tickets.

The president’s campaign team is working to reverse the disadvantage in the polls compared to former president Lula (2003-11), favorite for the first round on October 2nd.

The latest survey by consulting firm Datafolha showed Lula, leader of the Workers’ Party (PT), with 47% voting intention, followed by 28% for Bolsonaro.

Meanwhile, near Bolsonaro they run polls that show the president just seven points behind Luna.

Bolsonaro’s advisers advised him today to focus on a proactive agenda, centered on the economy and government efforts to reduce fuel prices and strengthen social aid, and abandon controversies such as attacks on electronic polls.

Complaints about electronic ballot boxes “I am an obsession of those who do not give votes”, entrusted to AFP a collaborator who worked on the assembly of the speech.

Bolsonaro’s campaign team is working to “soften” his image and show him less angry and more relaxed, part of which is reflected in the slogan “The Captain of the People”used in today’s call along with a photo of the smiling president.

The Institutional Security Cabinet has ordered a strong security operation, with magazines and metal detectors at the entrance to the Maracanazinho, after episodes of political violence that rocked the campaign in Brazil.

The PT formalized Lula’s candidacy last Friday with a ceremony in Sao Paulo.

Source: AFP and EFE

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