Lula, The Former President Of Brazil, Has Lost The Support Of The Public

Former President Lula is the target of intense criticism and has found it difficult to distance himself from the radicalism of the PT, according to the Political Connection. Lula has even tried to adopt a pacifist tone, but when he delivers a new speech, leftist extremism often rears its ugly head.

To stop the climate of ‘revenge’ that surrounds the politician’s speeches, Lula’s campaign has focused on several actions. However, these episodes are creating barriers even among undecided voters, who have decided to migrate to the current President Jair Bolsonaro, despising Lula’s electoral plan, as reported by the Political Connection this Wednesday. (4)

With less than five months left until the October elections, the former president has decided to set up a political agenda for the country. According to Marcos Rocha, from Conectação Política, Luiz Inácio and o Geraldo Alckmin, “plan to make a series of trips together in May and June in regions of the country considered strategic for the dispute” to the Planalto Palace.

Also according to Marcos, “the idea is for both to make some separate trips, with Alckmin working to strengthen the ticket in specific places, such as the interior of São Paulo, in order to try to reduce resistance to Lula in sectors with which he dialogues better, such as groups religious”.

It has been a nightmare for the Ex-President that his campaign has avoided taking part in street events. According to the Political Connection, Lula’s allies do not want him to take part in celebrations that could draw crowds. Their argument is that he could become a target for attacks.

In defence of fulfilling commitments only in “controlled environments”, without having full contact with the general public, leftist leaders claim that the former president will be booed and cursed.

Some analysts believe that the very strong public rejection of Lula could undermine what has been projected in the press: the narrative that Lula is the favourite in the presidential election.

Luiz Inácio attempted to minimize the possibility of being booed in public. During an interview with CBN Campinas radio, he said that he would dialogue with “all sectors of society”. On the occasion, the interviewer recalled the episode last week in which Ciro Gomes (PDT) received boos from opponents at Agrishow, in the interior of São Paulo. “How can I talk to this audience?”, asked the journalist. The PT, however, said that he is “hardened” for this type of situation, in addition to stressing that “there is no forbidden place to campaign”.

“I will not only talk to those who already vote for me. I want to talk to all sectors of society. In this aspect, Alckmin also helps to talk to sectors that were previously distant from the PT. No problem” Lula maintained.

“I have campaigned in so many adverse places, in so many places in this country, that there is no prohibited place to campaign. The only thing I have to respect is that there are other candidates in the running and in some places, there may be voters of these other candidates who may not like our visit. But that’s part of the policy. I’m really used to dealing with these adversities,” he added.