Brazil: remote duel between Lula and Bolsonaro during a very political May 1st

Protesters at the traditional May Day rally in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

AFP - NELSON ALMEIDA

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

For May 1, former trade unionist Lula mobilized his troops in front of a football stadium in Sao Paulo, where he celebrated the trade union union against the Bolsonaro government.

The president has also called for demonstrations in several cities, as the gap between the two candidates for the October election is narrowing.

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With our correspondent in São

,

It was to the sound of "

" that the former president was welcomed by thousands of white-hot activists after 4 hours of speeches by trade unionists, songs and popular music.

For this 1st of May which precedes

, all the unions had gathered around Lula, even the most moderate.

With a single target: outgoing President

.

“

, ”claimed Lula.

Low gap in the polls

The former president emphasized the high cost of living and hunger which, according to him, would affect 19 million people, or nearly 10% of the population.

Lula says he wants to fight for a "

".

But Jair Bolsonaro did not want to let the left occupy all the ground on this May 1st.

He called several pro-government demonstrations.

He even made a brief appearance in front of his militants in Brasilia, while some polls show that he is only six points behind Lula.

The fight has therefore only just begun, and it promises to be very tough.

► To read also: Brazil: unemployment and precariousness of employees on the rise a few months before the presidential election

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• Brazil

• Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

• Jair Bolsonaro