Presidential in Brazil: Lula to conquer the centrist electorate

Photo published by Globo TV, taken on August 25, 2022, shows the candidate of the Workers' Party (PT) and former president (2003-2010) of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L), during an interview with the "Jornal Nacional” hosted by journalists William Bonner (C) and Renata Vasconcellos (D), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

AFP - MARCOS SERRA LIMA

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

In Brazil, it's time for the big oral before the presidential election in October.

After far-right president Jair Bolsonaro on Monday August 22, it was Lula who was interviewed on Thursday on a large audience channel.

Lula who has a lead of more than ten points in the polls.

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Lula adopted a moderate tone to conquer the centrist electorate 40 days before the first round, reports our correspondent in Sao Paulo,

Martin Bernard

.

Relaxed, and in a much less aggressive atmosphere than during the interview with Jair Bolsonaro on the same set three days before, Lula shelled out economic figures to show that he knew his subject well, and promised to do better than during ten years in power.

He repeatedly quoted his running mate Geraldo Alckmin, a centre-right politician.

Today,

he said,

I have ten parties with me, and in addition, I have the experience of former Governor Alckmin with me.

A year ago, many people thought it would be impossible.

And I joined him to show Brazilian society that in politics there is no room for hatred

.

»

To convince left-wing activists who were reluctant to move to the center, Lula explained his strategy: “

Sometimes we have to unite with those who don't agree with us to defeat the adversaries.

And now we have to overcome the antagonism of fascism and the ultra-right.

“Fascism, hatred, so many direct allusions to the far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, accused of endangering Brazilian democracy.

►Also read:

Brazil: first campaign interview for Jair Bolsonaro between criticism and provocation

Lula acknowledges corruption at Petrobras

On the Globo channel, Lula also admitted that there had been cases of corruption within the public oil company

Petrobras

during his presidential mandates (2003-2010) and promised to investigate the slightest drift if he was elected head of state in October.

“ 

We cannot say that there has been no corruption if people have acknowledged 

” the offences, said the Workers' Party candidate.

I now have the opportunity for the first time to speak openly with the people, live...corruption only appears when you allow it to be investigated

 ," he said.

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  • Brazil

  • Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

  • Jair Bolsonaro