‘Brazil has no president’ - Flavio Bolsonaro challenges Lula at Sao Paulo rally
Key Takeaways
The presidential candidate leads the 'Victory Bloc' mobilisation on Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo.
Bolsonaro accuses the president and Supreme Federal Court of political interference and persecution.
Rival demonstrations take place ahead of Brazil's October 25 presidential vote.
Flavio Bolsonaro takes aim at Lula and Brazil's Supreme Court as thousands of supporters gather on Paulista Avenue ahead of the October 25 presidential run-off.
"Today, Brazil has no president."
That was the message from Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro as he addressed supporters on Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo on Sunday, criticising President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the country's Supreme Federal Court ahead of the October 25 run-off.
The senator led a mobilisation called the 'Victory Bloc', organised in response to the 'Mass March for Democracy' held days earlier by supporters of Lula.
Bolsonaro travelled through the gathering aboard an open-top lorry, surrounded by supporters waving Brazilian flags and carrying placards backing his presidential campaign.
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During his speech, he accused the Supreme Federal Court of interfering in politics and questioned Lula's relationship with Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
"Today, Brazil has no president. We have someone who had to share his power with Alexandre de Moraes, to whom the current president owes his mandate. A Supreme Court that has persecuted political opponents has created a great deal of legal uncertainty in our country," the candidate said.
Bolsonaro also encouraged supporters to watch the presidential debate scheduled for Sunday evening, saying he intended to make allegations against Lula.
"I want you to follow me, because today I want to see you all in front of the television watching the debate. There I will have the opportunity to set out the crimes that he (Lula da Silva) committed against our nation. Brazil is without a president, but only for a short time, because Flavio Bolsonaro is coming and Brazil will win," Bolsonaro emphasised.
The gathering was promoted through the candidate's social media platforms as part of efforts to mobilise supporters during the final days of campaigning.
Several participants also expressed concerns about the country's judicial system.
Junho, one of the demonstrators, accused the Supreme Court of undermining constitutional protections and democratic rights.
"I want to make it very clear that we have a Constitution that must be respected. Unfortunately, this Supreme Court has already trampled on it in every possible way. We no longer have a justice system that guarantees the democratic rights of every Brazilian," the supporter said.
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Another participant, Vinicius, questioned the first-round election result and urged voters to support Bolsonaro in the second round.
"They should have lost in the first round. The ballot boxes stopped, God knows for what reason, and the opponent reached enough votes to force a second round. That is why it is important that next Sunday we vote for Flavio Bolsonaro, on the 25th, for the future of Brazil," he added.
The senator's rally followed a large demonstration organised by Lula's supporters, students and social movements.
Participants in that earlier march expressed support for democracy and the continuation of the Workers' Party (PT) government.
The rival mobilisations come as Lula and Bolsonaro prepare to face each other in the second round of Brazil's presidential election on October 25.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
