The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, took a bath of masses this Wednesday during the celebration of the bicentenary of the independence of the South American country. The president mobilized his followers to the national celebration, which he turned into a campaign event. He participated in two multitudinous events held in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia and proved to have the support of the attendees, despite the fact that polls give him a disadvantage of fifteen points: 30% in voting intentions against 45% of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The presidential elections will take place in a few weeks: on October 2.
"We know that we are facing a struggle between good and evil. An evil that lasted 14 years in our country, that almost broke our homeland and now wants to return to the scene of the crime. They will not come back! The people are with us, on the side of good," Bolsonaro said in his speech.
In Bolsonaro's two appearances, his speeches focused on criticizing Lula and the Workers' Party (PT), and on defending conservative values. Bolsonaro also expressed: Brazil today has "a president who believes in God, respects the military, defends the family against abortion and owes loyalty to his people."
Lula's criticisms
Lula da Silva complained about the actions of President Bolsonaro during the celebration: "When I was president, I had the opportunity to participate in two September 7 celebrations, one in 2006 and the other in 2010, in the middle of the election period. And at no time did we use the day of the Brazilian people, the biggest day of our country, as an instrument of electoral politics."
The former Brazilian president urged Bolsonaro to explain "how he is going to solve the problem of education, health, unemployment and the contraction of the minimum wage". Lula also used his Twitter account to continue campaigning from home with an electoral message: "I have faith that Brazil will reconquer its flag, its sovereignty and democracy".
200 years of independence today. September 7th should be a day of love and unity for Brazil. Unfortunately, this is not what is happening today. I have faith that Brazil will regain its flag, sovereignty and democracy. Bom dia.
🎥: @ricardostuckert pic.twitter.com/52gk00b2Ht
- Lula 13 (@LulaOfficial) September 7, 2022
