Brazil prepares to elect its president in the coming years

Euskaraz irakurri: Datozen urteotan president izango dena aukeratzeko prest dira Brasilen

brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro aspires this Sunday to remain another four years at the head of Brazil after a first legislature marked by his denial management of the pandemic, his continuous attacks on democratic institutions, the fuel he has given to false news and the return to the politics of his archenemy Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvawho appears in this electoral event as the main favorite.

Da Silva has appeared as the first preference among Brazilian citizens in all the polls that have been published since he regained his political rights, after the Supreme Court unanimously annulled the convictions for corruption due to the bias of the judge who convicted him. Da Silva spent 580 days in jail.

Lula, who in his previous mandate (2003-2010) enjoyed great popularity among the working classes and lower income party with an intention to vote above 45%, although the most optimistic forecasts even trust that the list will be decided in the first round. It has the support of broad layers of society, such as young people, unemployed people, low-income families, students, women and even Catholics.

Bolsonaro, to which the polls attribute close to 36% of the valid votes and that he is trying to reduce the advantage that separates him from the favorite to try to reach the second round, he has promised continue with the same policies of the last four years, especially those related to the privatization of strategic state companies, such as the energy company Petrobras, with which he hopes to make one of his campaign promises possible, to have the cheapest fuel in the world. It has the support of the most conservative and wealthy sectors of the country, and with the followers of the evangelical church, a group with a lot of power in Brazil.

Even if Lula wins the election, the Congress will likely be the most conservative in Brazil’s recent history, posing a major challenge to the former union leader, whose promises include increasing social programs and imposing stronger environmental controls.

Last televised debate

Brazil has attended this Thursday the last televised electoral debate before the presidential elections, which celebrate their first round this Sunday, October 2; a debate that has been characterized by the exchange of attacks and accusations between the two main candidates.

Lula da Silva this Thursday became the main target of attacks of his rivals, who attacked him for fear that the progressive leader will guarantee his election on Sunday without the need for a second round. The situation forced Lula to defend himself in the debate from different and numerous attacks, mainly from the corruption scandals in his government.

Bolsonaro, at a lower level, it was also the target of attacks, especially from Lula, who also cited the scandals of corruption of the current government and relatives of the president.

The other candidates attacked Bolsonaro for his questionable management of the pandemic, which has left nearly 686,000 deaths in the country; for the statements in which he insists on denying that there are hungry Brazilians, and for his globally criticized environmental policy.

Follow-up in EITB

EITB will closely follow the electoral appointment, both from its newsrooms and on the ground.

Arantxi PadillaEITB’s correspondent for Latin America, is there to bring us closer to the atmosphere and spirits of the citizens in the hours before the elections.

On Sunday, Padilla will be at the polls and will offer his chronicles from the heart of Brazil.