Brazilian president launches first re-election event

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) launched his re-election campaign Tuesday in the city of Juiz de Fora, in the state of Minas Gerais (Southeast), reiterating his program to defend liberal economic orthodoxy and customs.

In his speech, Bolsonaro defended the government’s actions during the health emergency caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) and stressed that the Brazilian economy is recovering.

The president spoke out against abortion and the legalization of drugs, claiming that he is a champion of private property and that “the country does not want more corruption.”

The choice of Juiz de Fora for Bolsonaro’s first campaign event had strong symbolic value, as it was in that city during the 2018 campaign that the then-candidate was stabbed in the stomach, shocking the country.

At Tuesday’s event, Bolsonaro again linked his campaign to the colors green and yellow and urged his supporters to use the Brazilian flag.

“We give examples of patriotism and honesty (…) In my forays around Brazil, we see more and more that the colors green and yellow predominate. Our flag is our symbol,” he said.

Bolsonaro was accompanied at the event by the First Lady, Michelle Bolsonaro, his vice presidential candidate, Braga Netto, and the PL candidate for the government of Minas Gerais, Senator Carlos Viana.

In October, Brazilians are called to the polls, where they will elect governors, deputies and senators, in addition to the president and vice president.

The first round is set for Oct. 2, with a possible second round for president and governors on Oct. 30.

Bolsonaro’s main opponent in the presidential election is former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (2003-2010) of the Workers’ Party (PT).

Lula da Silva leads the polls with 44 percent of the vote, followed by Bolsonaro with 32 percent and Ciro Gomes of the Democratic Workers’ Party (PDT) with six percent, according to the Inteligencia en Investigacion y Consultoria Estratégica poll released Monday.

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